Benicia Police Dept Seeks Applicants for Free Nine-Week Citizens Academy

The Benicia Police Department is seeking applicants for a nine-week Citizens Police Academy in April and May, department administrators announced Friday.

There is no cost to attend the academy and it is open to all residents 18 and older who can pass a background check, according to Benicia police Lt. Frank Hartig. The academy is scheduled to meet 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, April 4 to May 30 at the police department, 200 East L St. The academy includes two eight-hour Saturday sessions on unspecified dates.

The focus of the academy is to educate citizens about the department's organization, core values, operational methods and role in the community, Hartig said in a statement.

"Participants will gain an understanding of police department responsibilities and the laws that govern police activity," Hartig said. "Through open dialog, academy participants have the opportunity to share their experiences and offer ideas to enhance community partnerships. The goal of the academy is to strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership between citizens and the Benicia Police Department."

Academy sessions will be taught by members of the police department and include hands on instruction in Patrol Procedures, Criminal Law, Narcotics, Crime Scene Investigations, Traffic Enforcement, Use of Force and Police Dispatch, according to police.

Demos will include SWAT Team and K-9 tactics and equipment. One of the Saturday sessions will focus on firearms safety at the department's range, and the other will be "dedicated to scenario training in which the students will apply what they have learned throughout the academy," Hartig said.

Certificates of achievement will be awarded upon completion of the academy.

"Applicants must have a clean criminal history and background checks are done on all applicants," Hartig said.

Accepted applicants are required to attend every scheduled class as space is limited to 20 students. Applications for the Citizen Academy are available on the Benicia Police Department’s website http://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/police.

The Benicia Police Department is staffed with 36 sworn officers, 17 non-sworn employees, and 35 citizen volunteers, according to the department.

For more info, contact Lt. Frank Hartig at fhartig@ci.benicia.ca.us or (707) 746-4259.

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