The Santa Monica Police Department is inviting the public to sign up for its “Citizen Police Academy,” a twelve-week program designed to give people an inside look at the challenges its officers face.

“We’re your police department, we want the public to understand what we do,” said Lauralee Asch, Lead, Community Relations. “We want to create relationships.”

“We don’t want people to wonder and be afraid, we want them to ask questions and be informed,” Asch added.

To that end, participants will meet weekly for lectures and demonstrations by officers and employees of the SMPD.

And they’ll get to take part in mock exercises, acting out the kinds of real experiences peace officers deal with on the job.

Probably the most “stressful, meaningful” of those is the simulated traffic stop, in which citizen cadets are given a gunbelt (empty, of course), a walkie talkie and a flashlight, and are asked to approach a stopped vehicle.

The driver “could be a nice normal person or a fleeing felon,” Asch said, “and various scenarios are acted out, so the class members don’t know what they’re walking into.”

Most citizens have their only contact with police officers at these kinds of stops, and they often wonder why the police seem nervous and why they ask the kinds of questions they do Asch said. This exercise helps academy attendees understand.

They also get to try their hands at forensics, taking fingerprints and trying out some of the department’s latest technology.

Participants also get a taste of self defense tactics with a demonstration of Krav Maga, an Israeli system used by hundreds of police departments.

And then there’s everybody’s favorite, the K-9 unit.

The department’s star Belgian Malinoises come to class with their handlers and show off their expertise sniffing out secreted narcotics and fake bombs.

Rex, a patrol and narcotic detection dog and Landor, an explosive detection dog, live with their human partners, as do the other members of their unit.

“They’re totally popular…they’re so cute, so talented,” said Asch of this academy highlight.

Graduates will be able to share what they learn with their friends and neighbors in the community, building a bridge of good will between the department and Santa Monica residents, Asch said.

The academy creates “volunteers, ambassadors,” she said. “They go home and start neighborhood watch groups. They become part of our extended family.”

To date, the citizen academy’s turned out 33 classes totaling more than 650 graduates.

Enrollment is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Santa Monica and is a minimum of 18 years of age

Applications will be accepted until February 11th or until the class is full. To obtain an application or to ask questions, please call the Santa Monica Police Department’s Community Relations Unit at (310) 458-8474 or visit: www.santamonicapd.org.

The 2011 Program of Training encompasses a wide range of timely and important topics. Starting off the new year on January 20 will be Police Chief Michael Boswell of the Potawatomi Tribal Police Department. Tribal law enforcement is a complex balance of tribal position and authority within the community. The topics in the presentation will include the legal, political, cultural, and historical issues that affect American Indian tribal policing.

Training topics, the presenters and presentation dates for the rest of the year include Crime Mapping by James Anderson of the Topeka Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit (Feb. 17); Hate Crimes by SGT Steve Taylor (March 17); Bullying and Cyberbullying by SGT Lance Feyh (April 21); Death Investigations by SGT Kevin Miller (May 19); Club Drugs by Office Victor Riggin (June 16); Money Laundering by SGT Shane McGinley (July 21); Interpreting Fingerprints by SGT John Sanders (August 18); Human Trafficking by personnel from Immigration & Customs Enforcement (Sept. 15); Gang Activity in Topeka by Officer Trenton Ginn (Oct. 20); and Identity Theft by SGT Shane McGinley (Nov. 17).

All graduates of the Citizen Police Academies are encouraged to become Ambassadors and are invited to attend this special meeting on Thursday, Nov.18. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in classroom A at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 S. Kansas Ave.

The Ambassadors support law enforcement in Topeka through education, information, networking, community service and volunteerism. The many activities of this association include sponsoring community awareness events on behalf of the Topeka Police Department; acquiring departmental equipment and resources; and hosting charitable events to support community programs. Members of the association are also recruiters for upcoming Citizens Police Academies and perform hosting and support duties for the academy classes.

For more information about the Ambassadors, the program of training, and other volunteer opportunities at the Topeka Police Department, contact Ben Clay, Volunteer Coordinator, 368-9237 or bclay@topeka.org.

Wheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny addresses the newest class of recruits but they’re not your standard group.

These people represent all ages and come from all walks of life.

But they have one thing in common: they want to learn more about what it takes to wear a police uniform.

Wheeling Police Sgt. Phil Redford is the course instructor.

“It’s important for people to get an inside look at how law enforcement works and so many people see things on TV and they don’t have a true understanding of how an organization, like ours, operates,” said Redford. “This gives them the inside, behind the scenes, look at how a police department truly functions.”

It’s a 10-week course that teaches everything from the structure of the department to learning laws and procedures to firearms training. Wheeling Councilman Gloria Delbrugge, whose husband was a police officer for 30 years, is also enrolled in the academy.

“I just want to see how things are done and things that have changed in the coming years and how technology has taken over since the last time. Since 1994 when my husband retired.”

The class, lead by Redford is taught in the basement of the city county building but is not limited to these four walls.

During the course of the semester, they will travel to various spots for specific training, a ride-a-long in a police cruiser and a tour of the regional jail.

The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) has placed an alert on the academy as allegations of cadets cheating on state exams have been revealed.

As it stands, the Rio Hondo Regional Police Academy’s official certification by the POST has been suspended.

All Police training programs including the extended and the reserve police academies, as well as re-qualification courses have been affected. The only program not under inquiry is the in-service training module.

The suspension of police academy activity will continue as long as the investigation is in effect by POST.

Rio Hondo President Dr. Ted Martinez Jr. notified the affected students in person on Tuesday.

In addition to the classes currently in session, the suspension is slated to affect Class #196 originally expected to begin on Oct. 18 and all scheduled classes going forward until a resolution is created.

The indefinite ban on academy activities will not involve basic Administration of Justice courses at Rio Hondo, nor will it impinge on the Rio Hondo Fire Academy.

Dr. Martinez said in an e-mailed statement circulated campus wide on Oct. 5, “We recognize the serious nature of the suspension, regret the impact on our students, and are working diligently with POST to resolve the issues.”

According to a report on KFI radio in Los Angeles, a cadet from the academy reported that at least one study guide question, given by a staff member, was identical to an official test question.

In his e-mail, Dr. Martinez apologized to surrounding law enforcement agencies for the “temporary interruption of police academy classes.”

He also noted, “It is important to assure regional public safety agencies that Rio Hondo College is committed to integrity in all facets of law enforcement training and preparation.”

The POST was created in by the state legislature in 1959, for the sole purpose of creating a set selection and training standards for law enforcement in the state of California.

Over 600 separate entities ranging from state colleges, private policing agencies to public safety centers utilize the POST’s services.

Since its creation in the 1960′s, the Rio Hondo Basic Police Academy has prided itself on being, “one of the premier training academies in the nation,” according to their website. The program usually runs about four classes a year and each section runs for about five months.

The academy consists of a rigorous physical training regimen that is designed to instill in each cadet, “pride, respect and discipline necessary to succeed in law enforcement,” according to their website.

The police academy curriculum also consists of an intricate series of 26 domain examinations that include basic law enforcement, fire arms training, search and seizure, evidence gathering as well as pursuit driver instruction.

Upon successful completion of the Rio Hondo College Police Academy, cadets become eligible to apply for jobs with law enforcement agencies statewide.

The allegations at the police training academy could have far reaching effect. Those cadets, who are now sworn officers, have likely made hundreds of arrests that could be thrown out or have convictions overturned.

“We’re going to have to get our arms around all of that. We’ll make decisions on a case by case basis on which we can go forward with and if necessary which ones we can’t,” said State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey.

Police launched an internal investigation and audit after allegations surfaced that an instructor provided cadets with answers on tests. The probe focuses on 34 officers who graduated in July 2009. All but two now work for Prince George’s County Police. The others are with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police. The union representing officers is reserving judgment.

“As it stands right now, these members are out there, they’re certified, they’re sworn policemen. Their arrests are lawful,” said Vince Canales, president of the Fraternal Order of Police for Prince George’s County officers.

The state’s attorney’s office set up its own task force to review cases. Once the officers are identified, that information by law must be turned over to defense attorneys. Ivey says he’s already notified the public defender’s office and is awaiting more information from the police internal investigation. Ivey admits “it’s possible” there may be hundreds of cases at risk but says “I just don’t know how many cases there are going to be involved in this at this point” until he gets more details.

The police union says an audit by state regulators at the time found no problem, but it only looked at random cadets.

“No one wants to see anyone here that shouldn’t be here and if there’s something found wrong, the department will take the action necessary,” said Canales.

The cheating scandal has the potential to end the career of these officers. Even if they are allowed to remain on the force, defense attorneys will always be able to raise the issue and question their credibility.

The police department could remove the officers from duty and force them to undergo retraining, but no decision has been made. The police department has remained silent on the investigation. Chief Roberto Hylton planned a 5 p.m. press conference, but canceled at the last minute. Instead, the department plans to release a statement later this evening.

“SO how can I prepare for the police officer academy”

The first thing you can do right now to prepare for the police training academy is to invest in a introduction to law enforcement book. You can get one at any local library or anywhere on line. There you’ll want to learn the history of law enforcement and how it evolved. You’ll also want to learn some general definitions within in the criminal justice system. Once you do that, you’ll want to know the role of the prosecutor in your county or state. The prosecutor is extremely important as you’ll have contact with he/she throughout your law enforcement career.

Study… Study… Study

Whether you’re paying your own way to the academy or you’re being sponsored by a local department, you must understand that you can flunk the academy at any time and be sent home. Don’t underestimate the importance of preparing yourself physically, and mentally for the academy. Although you’ll be stressed to the max during the academy, you’ll also be expected to pass the many exams that you’ll be given.

In conclusion, if you want to get prepared for the police academy and guarantee yourself a passing score, then I suggest that you go and download a police academy review guide.

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George Krupica, an Ulster County Community College graduate and retired law enforcement officer, established the award with the Ulster Community College Foundation.

The award will be presented annually to the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average at the SUNY Ulster Police Academy, a collaboration of Ulster County Community College and the Ulster County Law Enforcement Training Group.

McHugh received the award at the Dec. 11 Police Academy graduation at Hillside Restaurant in Kingston.

In addition to the highest academic average in his class, McHugh was also first runner-up for the “Top Cop” title. The titles are awarded to the top three graduates based on academics, physical fitness and evaluated performance.

McHugh is employed by the Greenwood Lake Police Department.

Many Police Academies do not allow open enrollment, however some states require you to be certified before applying for a Police Officer position with a municipality.  Some police academies require that you are hired by a police agency and then they will send you to the academy.  Other jurisdictions will offer the police academy as a college course of study, and once completed you would then be able to apply to a police agency for consideration for hiring.  Check your local police academy standards in reference to this.

Education: Usually a Police Academy will require you to hold a High School Diploma or a GED equivalent.  Some police academies do require a 4 year college degree or 3 years of generalized work experience as well.

Physical Fitness: A Police Academy will usually require a physical fitness exam.  Where most police academies differ is what the physical fitness consists of.  Most police academies require a run, whether it is a 1 mile, 1 ½ mile run, or more, under a certain predetermined time, depending on sex and age.

Successful Completion of Course: The police academy will provide many tests or exams.  Successful completion of these exams is required.  There will usually be many written exams, based on law, criminal procedure law, etc.  There will also be the physical fitness test, usually an entrance and exit exam.  There will also be defensive tactics exams to show proficiency in self defense, defensive tactics and arrest techniques.  There may be other exams as well as required by each local academy.

Every Police Academy is different so that it is important to check the standards and requirements with each local police academy.