(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to offer the Citizens Academy. The Citizens Academy is a four-week program consisting of eight class sessions designed to provide residents information about their local law enforcement agencies, and how they operate. Participants will learn what it is like to be a law enforcement officer. Le Mars Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale says the program will kick off on October 12th.
The Citizens Academy are looking for 20 applicants that are at least 21 years of age, with half of the class from Le Mars, and the other half of the class residents of Plymouth County. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy, Rick Singer says applications are now being accepted.
Daale says the course will cover several areas of law enforcement including crime scene investigations, drug recognition and enforcement, accident investigations, use of firearms, tactical driving, and even the Combined Emergency Rescue Team or CERT the tactical weapons unit.
Chief Deputy Singer says the organizers hope to focus some attention on the Dive Team which operates through the Sheriff’s Office.
Both officers say the citizens academy is to open doors to the community and through education increase communication and understanding between citizens and law enforcement officers. Daale says the course is free of charge
Participants in the Citizens Academy program will also have a session regarding the K-9 units. Chief Deputy Singer says a change is currently being made with regards to the County Sheriff’s K-9 program.
People have until Monday, September 13th to submit their application. Applications can be picked up at either agency, the Le Mars Police Department offices, or the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office at the new Law Enforcement Center.
