NORTH READING — Chief Mark Zimmerman is pleased to share that the North Reading Police Department is inviting the community to participate in a Citizens Police Academy.
The NRPD will host a Citizens Police Academy from Feb. 25 to April 15, with classes being offered on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Anyone over 16 can apply, but applicants age 16 and 17 will need parental consent.
Seats in the academy are limited, and priority will be given to applicants from North Reading.
Classes will include a tour of the NRPD station and a police cruiser, an overview of patrol equipment and the department’s organizational structure, and a greeting from Chief Zimmerman.
The course will include a tour of the NRPD station and a police cruiser, an overview of patrol equipment and the department’s organizational structure, and a greeting from Chief Zimmerman. Students can expect a wide range of topics to be covered including constitutional law, legal searches, elements of probable cause, motor vehicle law, accident investigations, drug investigations, crime scene investigations, cybercrime, use of force, de-escalation and firearms law.
The Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) SWAT Team, the NEMLEC School Threat Assessment and Response System (STARS) Team, the NRPD Drone Unit, School Resource Officer, and the department’s community resource professionals are among the units and agencies represented as guest speakers.
Anyone with questions about the academy should contact Lt. Derek Howe at dhowe@nrpd.org or 978-357-5064.
For more information and online application, please visit: https://nrpd.org/citizen-police-academy/.
Completion of an application does not confirm participation in the academy. Applicants will be contacted by NRPD if their application is accepted, and enrolled participants will be asked to complete additional waivers and forms. Applicants are expected to attend all eight classes in order to graduate.
Applications must be received by noon on Monday, Feb. 10 for consideration.
