Decatur’s popular Citizens Police Academy will return Sept. 1, providing residents with an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the city’s police department.

Lt. Jennifer Ross said the academy will be held Thursday evenings starting Sept. 1 through Nov. 3. Classes last from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“If you would like to learn more about police operations in general and how your Decatur Police Department works from the inside, this is a great opportunity to have many of your questions answered,” Ross said. “You will meet many of the officers who serve our department and go on a ride-a-long with an officer during a patrol shift. CPA is also an opportunity to build new relationships with neighbors in your class and for interested CPA graduates, the chance to volunteer for the C.A.P.S. (Citizen’s Assisting Public Safety) program.”

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Topics covered include:

– Department Functions & Staffing

– Recruitment & Training

– Criminal Law & Crime Trends in Decatur

– Traffic Enforcement

– Drug Trends

– Firearms Familiarization & Safety

– Special Units & Criminal Investigations

– Use of Force

– Juvenile Procedures

– Community Policing & Crime Prevention.

“There will also be opportunities to tour the DeKalb County Jail and the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office,” Ross said.

People interested in signing up for the class can contact Lt. Ross at [email protected] to request an application. The submission deadline is Aug. 15.

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