City of Midwest City

In an effort to educate Midwest City residents about the on-going work of the Police Department, local law enforcement officials are preparing for their upcoming Citizens Police Academy. The Midwest City Police Department’s workforce is made up of 96 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.

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

The academy convenes twice a year during the fall and spring and the upcoming session will be the 30th session in the history of the program. Currently, the fall academy is scheduled to begin September 6, 2012 and conclude December 6, 2012. The classes meet every Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for 13 weeks with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. Classes are held at the Charles Johnson Building, FOP Lodge and the Police Firing Range.

Classes are a mixture of classroom lecture and hands-on demonstrations. Activities include hands-on firearms, SWAT team, driving range, bomb squad, Police K-9 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. 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, or have family members who do, 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 spaces are filling up fast. For more information about the academy or to get an application for the upcoming academy, please call Captain David Huff at 739-1307 or e-mail at dhuff@midwestcityok.org.