Time running out to apply for PdC Citizens Academy
Making a “deadly force decision” during a simulated activity is just one of the interactive opportunities cadets will have in the Citizens Academy. (Submitted photos)
City councilman Todd Myers “arrests” Mayor Dave Hemmer when both were cadets of the Citizens Academy.
By Correne Martin
Take an inside look at the work Prairie du Chien police officers do by signing up for the fifth annual Citizens Academy, a free 10-week, interactive course that presents the gamut of duties local law enforcement manage in their line of work. But time is running out to apply, as the weekly activities begin March 7. Each class meets at the police department, from 6 to 9 p.m., and runs through May 9.
The deadline for Citizens Academy applications is Tuesday, March 5, at 5 p.m. Go online to prairieduchien.info (toggle down under “Departments” and click on “Police Department,” then scroll down to “2019 Citizens Academy Application”) to access and print a form to be turned in at city hall or the Crawford County Law Enforcement Center dispatch location. Paper forms may also be obtained at city hall and dispatch.
According to Police Chief Kyle Teynor, applicants must be 21 and older and may reside in any community. There are no health restrictions for potential participants, as citizens will not be put in any predicament they don’t believe they can handle. There is no cost to attend the academy.
“It’s very hands-on. There will be some power points, but mostly, it’s interactive,” Teynor said. “The citizens will be up doing things: ‘arresting’ people, lifting fingerprints, there’s a four-hour ride-along.”
Topics briefed each week will vary and include emergency vehicle operator course training; defense and arrest tactics; firearms, covering officer use of force and also instruction for citizens to become certifiable for a concealed carry permit; crime investigation, which Teynor said will show how un-CSI-like processes actually are; OWI procedures, such as field sobriety testing; and a culminating scenario where cadets will make simulated deadly force decisions.
A dinner and awards banquet concludes the academy, at which time participants will be recognized for their achievements alongside the officer of the year and other Prairie du Chien Police Department honorees. T-shirts and challenge coins will also be presented to all cadets completing the classes.
Over the past four academies, an average of 10 members have engaged first-hand in this opportunity.
“Previous graduates have even helped out with traffic control at parades and our Stuff the Squad event at the Holiday Parade,” Teynor added.
Graduates have included the mayor and city council members, in addition to area business professionals, retired persons and residents who have a sincere curiosity about the ins and outs of law enforcement. The Citizens Academy is essentially a community outreach program with the mission to foster a greater understanding among all. Citizens can better realize the role of local officers, while the department also gains an improved knowledge of its community members and how to best protect them.
