The 19th Laguna Beach Police Department Citizen Academy graduated Thursday, June 5, in a ceremony at the Hotel Laguna. Police Chief Paul Workman and other police department representatives joined family members of the 11 graduates to celebrate their accomplishment in joining the Citizen Academy Alumni, now 368 strong.
The Citizen Academy is a 12-week non-stress course that meets from 6 to 9:30 p.m. once a week. It provides community members with a better understanding of their police department and fosters better communications between department staff and citizens.
The academy offers instruction in the following areas: history of the department, investigations, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, driving under the influence investigation, gangs, narcotics, neighborhood watch, crime prevention, crime scene investigation, police K-9 program, and volunteer programs.
Students tour the Orange County Jail, as well as the local police facility, including patrol vehicles and equipment. They also get the chance to shoot at the police firing range and participate in mock scenarios.
For more information, or to attend the next Citizen Academy this fall, contact Cpl. Matt Meadow at 949 497-0758 or Mmeadows@lagunabeachcity.net.
