The Winfield Police Department and Cowley County Sheriff’s Office are once again hosting their adult citizens police academy, set to start August 28. The 15th run of the academy will educate citizens about the police department and sheriff’s office organizations, operations, and roles in the communities they serve.
Participants gain an understanding of law enforcement responsibilities, as well as the laws that govern them. The academy provides a hands-on opportunity to educate citizens on the operations of law enforcement while obtaining valuable feedback to enhance police relations with the community.
Involvement in the citizens academy requires a commitment of three hours, one night a week, for twelve weeks. The training includes classroom courses in traffic enforcement, crime scene investigation, S.W.A.T., drug investigations, death investigations, as well as many other topics, ride-alongs, and hands-on experiences. Classes are held every Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Instructors for the program consist of officers and staff of the Winfield Police Department, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Blue Line Tracking, LLC. There is no cost to attend the citizens academy. Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older that lives or works in Cowley County, and is free of felony convictions.
Any resident interested in learning more about law enforcement is encouraged to apply for the upcoming academy. Applications for the citizens academy are available at the police department, 430 E. 9th Ave., or the sheriff’s office, 911 Fuller St. Applications may also be downloaded from the City of Winfield’s website at www.winfieldks.org/police. Applications are due by Friday, August 15. Class size is limited, so those interested are encouraged to apply quickly.
If you have questions or would like more information on the citizens academy, please contact Tyler Gaskill of the Winfield Police Department by email at [email protected], by phone at (620)221-5545, or through the Winfield Police Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WinfieldPolice.
ABOVE PHOTO: Brenda Butters, Winfield, dusts for fingerprints during the CSI session of the 2023 citizens police academy.
