In an effort to educate Midwest City residents about the on-going work of the Police Department, local law enforcement officials are gearing up for their upcoming Citizens Police Academy .

“Many times, the only contact everyday citizens have with police is when they are the victim of a crime or they are a suspect,” Midwest City Police Captain Robert Cornelison said.  “The academy allows the public to look behind the so-called ‘secret curtain’ and gives us a chance to explain our protocol and limitations.”

Cornelison says the academy convenes twice a year during the fall and spring and the upcoming session will be the 24th session in the history of the program. Currently, the fall academy is scheduled to begin September 3, 2009. The class meets every Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for 13 weeks at the Mid-Del Technology Center.

The academy is a mixture of classroom lecture and hands-on demonstrations. Activities include a hands-on firearms, SWAT team, driving range and crime lab demonstrations, as well as participating in self-defense, mental health and DUI training.

“The real objective is not to train an individual to be a police officer, but to produce informed citizens,” Cornelison said. “Citizens and police officers have an opportunity to meet each other face-to-face in a neutral, friendly setting and each becomes a real person to the other. In the past, citizens have simply seen a uniform, now they have an understanding about the person behind the badge.”

Anyone living or working in Midwest City is eligible to participate in the academy, but must be at least 21-years-old.  Organizers will conduct a background check of participants and those who have committed recent serious crimes will not be allowed into the class.

The class is limited to no more than 28 people and Cornelison says spaces are filling up fast.

For more information about the academy or to get an application for the upcoming academy, please call (405) 739-1303 or visit www.webackthebadge.com.

The Midwest City Police Department’s workforce is made up of 93 full time commissioned police officers and 23 civilian personnel.  The department consistently strives to increase quality of life issues for the community through education, law enforcement services and leadership. 

The police department is located on the N.E. corner of E. Reno and Midwest Blvd.  and may be reached at 739-1320 or 1321.