Registration is open for the Sugar Land Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy. The 13-week course begins Jan. 21, with students meeting once a week from 7-10 p.m.

While learning about the challenges faced by police officers, laws affecting citizens, the judicial system and emergency management, participants personally interact with officers, detectives and other personnel in a nontraditional law enforcement setting.

The training program consists of classroom and “hands on” instruction designed to provide interested Sugar Land residents with a working knowledge of the Sugar Land Police Department, its personnel and emergency management operations.

Topics taught during the academy include police training, roles and responsibilities of the uniformed officer, use of firearms and deadly force options, criminal investigative skills, traffic law, crime scene search, communications, narcotics, gang education, specialized units, tactical operations, juvenile law, community involvement and emergency management. Additionally, participants have an opportunity to participate in a “staged” traffic stop, a “staged” building search and a tour of a local prison unit in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system.

Everything needed for the 13-week course is supplied free-of-charge.

Call SLPD police officer Amy Cummins at 281-275-2575 for more information or register online at http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/.