(Seguin) – You’re invited to learn the ins and outs of the Seguin Police Department. Sign-up is now available for the annual Seguin Citizens Police Academy.
Sarah Wallace, the community engagement officer, says the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is a free program that educates Seguin residents about the police department and prepares them to be ambassadors of the Seguin Police Department within the community.
“It of course is not a law enforcement academy just an informational class where citizens can attend. We cover many different topics such as criminal investigations, narcotic investigations, use of force, mental health and policing just so many different topics and we try to do a lot of hands on practical stuff totally up to the participants how much they want to do but that way, they can also check it out and see what officers do in instances like a traffic stop, a DWI investigations, firearms all of that fun stuff,” said Wallace.
She says during the 11-week course, participants will learn about topics ranging from criminal law and patrol tactics to use of force.
The group will also take field trips to facilities such as the Guadalupe County Juvenile Probation Center and the Guadalupe County Jail. The final class includes a trip to the SPD gun range training facility, providing students an opportunity to learn gun safety and basics of firing weapons. Wallace says participants will also have a chance to ride-along with a patrol officer during the academy.
“You also get to really see the passion that officers have for their jobs and their community and that we are not out there to kind of ruin somebody’s day. It’s just to show how much these officers really love what they do and really love giving back to the community. Depending on what the topic is, we bring the officer like that is their niche – for example, DWI’s or narcotic investigations and you really get to see how much that officer loves that topic and like they are more than happy to come in and further teach the citizens of what they do and why they love that. So, I always think that is a really cool eye opener for our community,” said Wallace.
Wallace says leading this program is just as fun for the officers who also commit and dedicate their time to educating the citizens.
“Honestly, I don’t think many people would believe me on this but the biggest part that people are most surprised about is just getting to see our officers in a human form and that is somebody with a badge on that maybe is pulling you over and that’s the only time you encountered them. It’s been really cool because our officers love this program and they come in and they just talk to them. You get to see all the different personalities of Seguin PD and we get to kind of be a little funny, a little goofy with them but also be educational and professional, of course. So I would say that would be the first big one is they get to see the people behind the uniforms and not just the uniforms and that’s always one of my favorite parts as well,” said Wallace.
Online applications for the program are available at seguintexas.gov on the Police Department’s Crime
Prevention page or they can be picked up from the Seguin Police Department. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate. All applicants will undergo a background check.
The deadline to apply for the program is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.