Tim Ryan, tryan@shawanoleader.com
The Shawano Police Department is still looking for residents interested in being part of the citizen police academy that starts Monday night.
The five-week program, meeting from 6-9 p.m. Mondays, will introduce the public to all aspects of the department and how it functions.
“If we get more people who understand what we can do, what we can’t do, what they can do and can’t do, there’s a tendency to reduce crime,” Chief Mark Kohl said. “People are more apt to say something, to point it out or call us.”
Only five people had signed up for the program as of Thursday, but there is room for up to 24, Kohl said.
Participants must be over 18, because handling firearms will be involved at some point, Kohl said, including a possible trip to the shooting range and firing off a few rounds “under strict and safe guidelines.”
Kohl offered the same program when he was chief here in 2001, and he said it was well-received.
“We want people to know what we do,” he said. “Their tax dollars pay for this service. We want them to be informed and question why and how we do things and be part of it.”
Topics that will be covered over the course of the five weeks include the department’s budget, the role of the Common Council and Police and Fire Commission, the court system and collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies.
Participants will learn about defensive tactics, see how traffic stops and OWI arrests are made, and get a hands-on look at the department’s squads, tools and technology.
They will also see what the dive team does, and learn about the K-9 unit and school resource officer.
“My hope is that the people that leave this become ambassadors and advocates of good crime prevention tactics and techniques, be willing to report things, work with officers and work with their neighbors in neighborhood watch programs,” Kohl said.
The free program will be run on Sept. 15, 22 and 29, and on Oct. 6 and 20 at City Hall. Those interested can call the department at 715-524-4545 to register, or just show up at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.. at 6 p.m. Monday.
Police are asking participants to attend all five weeks of the program.
Participants will will receive a T-shirt and certificate at a graduation ceremony Oct. 20.