The Lewiston Police Department is offering a Citizen Police Academy to residents.

LEWISTON – Police are still accepting applications for the next Citizen Police Academy set to begin early next year.

Starting Jan. 13, the academy will offer insights into the basics of police work. Participants will get involved in crime scene investigations, domestic violence situations, deadly force scenarios and K-9 demonstrations.

This year, police have added a few more topics to be examined by a group of local residents who sign up for the academy.

When the course gets under way, participants will learn more about how police respond to situations involving emotionally disturbed persons.

That part of the program will be taught by Laurie Cyr-Martel, the Police Department’s crisis intervention officer who recently published a book on the subject.

Police will also offer insights into child abuse, gang investigations, patrol issues and hiring practices at the Police Department. Participants will also learn about drunken driving investigations, speed enforcement and issues such as probable cause.

Lewiston police have offered citizen academies since 1998. They have fine-tuned the program each year since. Participants don’t sit in class all night studying textbooks. Instead, they get in the middle of mock crime scenes and hit the streets with officers on the job.

“The people love it year after year,” said Officer Jason Nadeau, one of the organizers of the incoming academy class. “They learn a lot about what we do and they have fun.”

The intent of the police academy is to improve relations with the public by offering residents a glimpse of what cops do day after day. The more information the public has about their police department, the less suspicion, fear and misconception will exist, organizers of the academy believe.

Participants meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays for three months. The academies have been so popular in the past that police now offer an alumni course for those who have already gone through it.

Class size for the 2004 academy is limited to 20 people and applications will be taken until Dec. 18. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and are subject to background checks.

Applications may be obtained at the Police Department or online at http://www.lewistonpd.org/cpa.htm. Anyone interested in more information about the academy may also phone Nadeau at 784-6422, ext. 321 or Officer Tim Darnell at ext. 316.

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