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Lathrop Police Citizens Academy starts soon
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LATHROP – The annual Police Citizens’ Academy offered by the Lathrop Police Services will start this Wednesday and run through March 2.

Classes will be held Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Lathrop Community Center, 15557 Fifth Street.

The goal of the Citizens’ Academy is to promote a better relationship between the police department and the community it serves by fostering a clearer understanding of a police officer’s duties and how those duties are carried out.

The Citizens’ Academy is being offered three hours a week on consecutive Wednesdays over a nine-week period. After completion of the academy, participants will be eligible to participate in a one-time “ride along” with an officer.

Academy instructors will be San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputies and civilian staff members.  Class topics will include Internal Affairs, Community-oriented Policing, Patrol Procedures, Narcotics, Gangs, Hostage Negotiations, Domestic Violence issues, Crime Prevention, K-9, SWAT, Traffic Enforcement, a Jail Tour and more.

Applicants must meet the following criteria: minimum age of 21, no misdemeanor arrests within one year of application (all past arrests will be considered in the screening process), no prior felony convictions, and pass a security check.

Applications can be picked up at any of the following laces: the Lathrop Police Office at 15597 S. Seventh Street, Lathrop City Hall at 390 Towne Centre Drive at Mossdale Landing, or at the Lathrop Community Center, 15557 Fifth Street in the Valverde Park.

Academy class size will be limited to 20 citizens. Applicants will be notified via phone call regarding acceptance to the Citizen’s Academy program. Applications must be turned in by noon of Monday at Lathrop Police Services. There will be a $20 registration fee.  Citizens’ Academy includes a T-shirt, baseball cap and course supplies.

Anyone with questions can contact Deputy Andrea Lopez, Community Resource Officer, at 858-5551.