Plymouth Seeks Applicants For Safety Academy

According to a city of Plymouth press release:

The city of Plymouth is now accepting applications for the Public Safety Citizens Academy, a free 12-week, 36-hour course geared towards expanding public knowledge of the police and fire departments, creating partners within the community and highlighting volunteer opportunities.

“This program debunks a lot of myths about policing,” said Community Relations Officer Jim Long. “We hope that participants can take the information they learn and share it with friends and family because everyone benefits from such exposure.”

Each week of the course will feature a different aspect of the Police Department through lectures and demonstrations, with one week dedicated to Fire Department operations. Last year’s curriculum included the history and evolution of policing in Europe and in the United States, patrol operations, fire department services, investigations, emergency communications, police tactics, a K-9 demonstration, narcotics, SWAT, the DWI process, public safety education and crime prevention efforts, and decision shooting.

“There’s a lot more depth to the department than I would have expected,” said Phil Rustad, an 18-year Plymouth resident, mystery novel writer, and 2011 academy graduate. “For people who are naturally more aware or interested in what’s going on in their community, this is the class for them. Everything [the police department] does goes towards making the city a better, safer place to live. It was a great experience.”

Another participant, 45-year resident and 20-year Neighborhood Watch captain Allan Fox, felt the course was both interesting and gave a greater sense of assurance. “Most people don’t realize how well our city takes care of us,” he said. “It was an eye-opening course.”

The 2012 Citizen Public Safety Academy will meet each 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. each Thursday starting Sept. 6 . For more information or to apply, please contact Community Relations Officer Jim Long at 763-509-5135. Any person who is at least 18 years old and either lives, works, or owns a business in Plymouth may apply to the academy. Deadline is August 24th.

A criminal history check will be run on all eligible applicants. (A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant.)