Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Bedford Police to Host Citizen’s Police Academy
BEDFORD — The Bedford Police Department is pleased to announce that its Citizen’s Police Academy will return this fall.
The six-week program will begin Nov. 1, and will be held from 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday at the police station. The program gives Bedford residents a chance to get to know the town’s police officers and build a better understanding of the work they do.
“We want people to know who we are and what we do,” Academy Director Lt. Jim Graham said. “This academy is a great way for us to welcome members of our community in and help them gain a stronger understanding of the broad scope of work our officers do on a daily basis.”
Classes will include a tour of the police station, an introduction to the department’s partnership with the Domestic Violence Services Network and in-depth looks at its Restorative Justice and Jail Diversion Programs. The Academy will also feature group discussions on modern policing and officer-led lessons on police equipment, the use of force, firearms safety and the Bedford Police’s role in the Northeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC).
Some of the department’s top officers will serve as instructors for the academy and will introduce participants to the complexities of enforcing everything from traffic laws to criminal laws while addressing the complexities of policing effectively with respect to citizens’ constitutional rights.
The academy will also feature hands-on instruction on CPR and first aid, as well as firearm safety, and officers will outline the various non-criminal aspects of their jobs, including administering medical aid as well as emergency aid to those who have suffered drug overdoses.
Those interested in attending the Citizen’s Police Academy can apply online here. As a safety precaution, participants will be required to submit to a background check. Residents are encouraged to apply even if they’re not certain they’ll be able to attend each session.
Academy participants will also have an opportunity to participate in a ride along with a Bedford Police Officer.
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