Special to the
Opelika Observer

The Opelika Police Department will host a Citizens Police Academy for the public. This is an eight-week, hands-on course to familiarize Opelika citizens with the day-to-day functions of the police department. The goal of the course is to educate the public on the various aspects of police work within the City of Opelika – the divisions, the necessary training and the dangers the police force faces.
The academy will run from March 24-May 12 and will be limited to 20 particpants. Opelika residents will be given first priority and application forms must be completed to be considered for acceptance. The class will begin at 6 p.m. weekly.
Interested parties can visit www.opelika.org to download the application form. For help with downloading the application, email shealey@opelika-al.gov or jgunter@opelika-al.gov to receive a digital copy. Please return the completed application form to the Opelika Police Department at the address below before Feb. 26
Captain Shane Healey
Opelika Police Department
501 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 2485
Opelika, AL  36803-2485
Or email the completed application form to Healey at shealey@opelika-al.gov.For more information contact Healey at 705-5241.

The schedule for the event is as follows:

Week 1 – Welcome and Introductions
Command Staff and Instructors introduced
Any items to be given to the students will be issued
A tour of the complete Police Department building and grounds, as well as a view of a marked patrol unit.

Week 2 – Patrol
Overview of how calls are received / resolved
View of equipment used by patrol officers
Overview of common calls

Week 3 – Investigations
Investigative Process
Crime Scenes
Narcotics

Week 4 – Traffic
Common myths
Mock traffic stops
Golf cart exercise

Week 5-  Canine
Patrol dogs
Drug dogs
Demonstrations

Week 6 – S.W.A.T.
Equipment
Demonstrations

Week 7 – F.A.T.S.
Scenarios

Week 8 – Graduation
Closing remarks by Chief McEachern
Presentation of certificates and souvenirs
Dinner