Crime & Safety

Newtown Police Want You For Citizens' Academy

A class offers adults the chance to learn more about the Newtown Police Department.

Newtown police are hosting their 18th annual citizens' police academy this year, and the department is looking for a few good civilians to learn more about the everyday details of the work the department does in town.

Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will learn how the department hires and trains officers, how firearms are carried and how accident scenes are reconstructed, according to Sgt. Dave Kullgren, now in his third year of organizing the class.

"You get to see what it’s like to be a police officer, to make split-second decisions in a shoot/don’t shoot scenario," said Kullgren.

Participants visit a state forensics lab, learn the laws of arrest, use of force and search and seizure and see K9 demonstrations. They learn protocol for DUI and domestic violence cases. In the past, State Attorney Stephen Sedensky and FBI representatives have visited the class to provide more information.

A four-hour ridealong is included, and police say participants will not be placed in danger during the tour.

"Its primary design is to educate members of the community — both residents and business owners on the reality of police work," said Kullgren. "We take away the TV shows and movies and show them what it’s really like, to bring a reality to it."

The class is geared toward adults and tentatively begins Thursday, Feb. 27. It is limited to 25 students, 18 or older. Applications are due by Feb. 13 and are available on the police department website.


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