Area law enforcement agencies are pleased to announce a Multi-Agency Citizens Academy starting January 12, 2016 to be held in cooperation with Post Falls Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, Rathdrum Police, and the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

The Citizens Academy is free to the public. The purpose of the Academy is to develop positive relations between law enforcement and the community through education. The Academy is structured as an informational program to give citizens a broad based understanding of the inner workings of local law enforcement. The Academy provides opportunities for open discussion with law enforcement officers, and agency leaders. Academy participants learn how local law enforcement agencies operate and gain an understanding of the challenges facing law enforcement in our rapidly growing community. Citizens participating will also have an opportunity to learn about and apply for volunteer positions available within the departments.

Participants in the Citizens Academy meet for three hours on Tuesday nights for 7 weeks as well as two Saturday morning classes. Applications may be picked up at the participating agencies. Applicants should apply with the law enforcement agency serving the area in which they live. Each agency is able to sponsor 10 participants and class size is limited to 40 participants. Applicants will be notified if they are chosen for the academy. Coeur d’Alene area residents can download the 2016 Citizen’s Academy brochure at https://www.cdaid.org/police or pick up an application at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have no misdemeanor conviction of any crime of violence, not be the subject of any pending criminal investigation or criminal court case, and not be the respondent of an active No Contact Order or Civil Protection Order. Applicants with a felony conviction will not be selected to attend the Citizen’s Academy. The deadline for postmarked applications is December 21, 2015.