EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence Police Department will be starting a Citizens Police Academy Class this spring. The academy is a 12-week program of weekly 2 to 3 hour meetings. A tentative starting date is March 20, dependent upon recruitment.
All instructors are East Providence Police Officers who volunteer their time to educate the public on various aspects of law enforcement. Topics that are presented include criminal investigations, patrol operations, crime scene investigation, communications operations, and much more.
Academy members may participate in mock motor vehicle stops, mock building searches, and equipment demonstrations. The goal of the Academy is to enhance police-community relations by providing citizens with an in-depth look at law enforcement and the officers who execute their policing duties. This Academy has been very successful since its inception in 1996.
To participate in the Academy, one must be 18 years of age, a resident of the City of East Providence and have no criminal record. Class size is generally limited to 20 members.
The Academy culminates in a graduation ceremony where city officials, police officers, and the participants’ families are cordially invited to attend. A certificate, Citizens Police Academy pins and Citizens Police Academy mementos are presented to the Academy graduates.
Applications may be obtained at the Police Department headquarters located at 750 Waterman Avenue or by contacting Community Relations Officer Thomas Aguiar at 401-435-7600 Ext. 20191. The application may also be found on the City of East Providence web site www.eastprovidence.com.