The Princeton Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizen Police Academy, which will provide attendees with some insight into how law enforcement works.
The eight-week-long Citizen Police Academy begins April 17 and ends June 5. Enrollment is limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and live in Princeton. They must also pass a background investigation check.
The Citizen Police Academy, which is free, is held on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Princeton Police Department headquarters at 1 Valley Road.
The goal of the Citizen Police Academy is to give attendees the knowledge and understanding of how the Princeton Police Department – and law enforcement in general – operates.
Attendees will learn about the organizational structure of the Princeton Police Department. They will learn about police response, the use of force, motor vehicle stops and the rules that guide how arrests are made, officials said.
They will also learn about search and seizure, criminal investigation, crime scene processing, firearm safety and vehicle pursuits during the eight-week program.
A ride-along program, which allows attendees to ride along with a police officer, is included so they may observe patrol functions first-hand.
The Citizen Police Academy seeks to give its graduates an awareness and appreciation of the services that the Princeton Police Department provides, officials said.
Applications for the Citizen Police Academy are available at the Princeton Police Department headquarters and online at www.princetonnj.gov/1384/Citizens-Police-Academy.
