Interested in serving your community? The Lakeway Police Department is reviving its Citizens Police Academy and is seeking applicants for the program that will begin February 10, 2016, according to a press release on the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce website. The program’s main goal is to “build a better understanding between citizens and the police department through education.”
The academy requires a 30-hour block of instruction offered over the course of 10 weeks, on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lakeway Activity Center. The instruction will cover a different area of police work each week and is designed to give attendees a working knowledge of law enforcement and the department’s policies and practices.
“The Citizens Police Academy is an important component of community policing in Lakeway,” said Lakeway Police Chief Todd Radford. “I have found that this venue gives us a chance to dispel falsehoods and clarify our role with the public.”
He said, “Many who have attended the academy have found it to be very rewarding and have gone on to continue to serve in our Alumni Association and Lakeway Police Foundation. We are very excited about the revival of the academy and hope to fill it with many eager minds ready to learn about the Lakeway Police Department!”
Participants must be at least 21, submit to a background check, and either reside or work in Lakeway. Class size is limited to 30 participants. All instruction is free, but to graduate, participants must attend at least 80 percent of the classes. Police officers, police supervisors, and civilian personnel will teach the classes.
Applications must be received by February 3 and are available at the Lakeway Police Department, 104 Cross Creek, or on the city’s website.