Citizen Police Academies Offer Inside Look at Law Enforcement

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. — The Livingston County Sheriff's Office is inviting residents to experience the daily life of a deputy through its Citizens’ Police Academy, a free 17-week program set to begin April 17. The academy aims to educate participants about law enforcement operations through hands-on activities and classroom instruction.

Classes will be held on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a special Saturday session at the Fowlerville Proving Grounds. Participants will engage in scenario-based training, including emergency vehicle operations, jail tours, and crime scene investigations. “The Citizens’ Police Academy is an informational overview for citizens to better understand through education what the Sheriff’s Office has to offer them,” officials said in a release.

Meanwhile, in Lewiston, Idaho, the local police department is preparing for its own Citizen Police Academy, a 10-week program starting March 11. The program will cover various aspects of policing, including investigations, patrol, and specialized units like the K-9 program and SWAT team. Participants will also experience a virtual simulator and join officers for a 10-hour ride-along.

“There is a lot of moving parts of the police department, and I don’t think the public, for the most part, understands what those moving parts are,” said Captain Chris Reese of the Lewiston Police Department. Both academies are free and open to residents aged 18 and older, with limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In Livingston County, interested individuals should contact Deputy Ray Marino at [email protected] or 517-546-2440. In Lewiston, applications are available online or at the police department and must be submitted by February 26.