Participants will learn what policing looks like from the inside with Citizens Police Academy

In an effort to build a stronger rapport with the public, the Mt. Sterling Police Dept. will soon host its own Citizens Police Academy.

The academy is meant to combat public unrest on social media stemming from incidents like the shootings in Minneapolis involving ICE officers to reinforce the public's trust in local agencies like the MSPD, Lt. Michael Price told the Advocate.

The goal of the academy, Price said, is to build stronger community connections, learn how officers serve and protect and participate in engaging real-world activities.

"We want to continue the good community rapport we have," he said. "We want to continue that community outreach that we have started under the current administration."

The academy begins March 2 and will meet 6 p.m. Mondays for 11 weeks through May 15. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. There is room for 15 to 18 participants, Price said.

The academy is open to adults 18 years of age or older. It is free to attend.

Applications can be picked up at the police dept. on Bank Street. For more information, call Price at 859-498-8899. 

The academy will be a fun environment that will include a lot of interactive, hands-on activities for participants, he said.

Those activities include learning how to lift fingerprints using Super Glue, tackling life-like crime scenarios through a resistance simulator and trying to drive an ATV over an obstacle course with DUI goggles, Price said.

He said participants will also learn what policing looks like from the inside.

The public will learn the role of patrol officers, criminal investigations, emergency response, experience K9 demonstrations and more, according to the dept. social media page.

During communications week, Price said, the public will learn how the dept.'s Flock cameras aid law enforcement and learn about 911 operations.

The public will also learn about the juvenile justice system and use of the new body cameras, he said.

A previous Citizens Police Academy was offered through the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Price said the MSPD hopes to build on that success.

The dept. notes this is a community-oriented program designed to educate the public about local operations and procedures. It is not an official academy that certifies officers.