'see blue.' Behind the Badge at Citizen Police Academy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 3, 2014) — It's not exactly "Rookie Blue," the ABC TV drama, but the University of Kentucky Police Department's (UKPD) Citizen Police Academy (CPA) will allow participants to "see blue." behind the badge — providing an up-close and inside look at law enforcement and university policing.  UKPD is offering its fall semester of the Citizen Police Academy Tuesday, Sept. 9, through Tuesday Oct. 28.

This free series of eight weekly classes will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 205 of the UK Student Center, with class graduation set for Oct 28. Registration is underway.

The academy is open to anyone inside or outside the university who is 18 years or older with no prior felony convictions.  This includes students, employees and the public.

Registration for the Citizen Police Academy is Aug. 25-Sept 9. Enrollment is based on a first come-first served basis. Please go to http://www.uky.edu/Police/citizensacademy.html to find more information about the CPA. Enrollment is also available on the UK Police Facebook site at www.facebook.com/ukpolicedepartment.  More information can be obtained by calling 859-323-7447.

The CPA, which is the 17th such class offered by UKPD, will include instruction in law, firearms, DUI detection, canine, and self-defense, as well as other police related training.  Course material will be presented through lecture, audio-visual aids, and interactive scenarios.

Prospective participants will be expected to complete a course application and submit to an electronic background check.

The mission of the Citizen Police Academy is to foster a more cohesive relationship between law enforcement officers and the campus community. Graduates will be able to share knowledge gained with others in the community, thereby helping others become more familiar with police practices.