Citizens’ Police Academy Gives Residents Firsthand Look at Policing

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.

STATE COLLEGE — Most people only see police officers during traffic stops, emergencies or other stressful situations.

But the Centre County Citizens’ Police Academy aims to change that by giving residents an inside look at what officers do when the lights and sirens are off.

The free program, led by local law enforcement agencies throughout Centre County, gives participants the opportunity to learn about police work through classroom instruction, demonstrations and behind-the-scenes experiences. This year’s academy is limited to the first 20 applicants who successfully pass a background check.

“It’s an academy for our Centre County residents to come together and get an inside look at policing, the responsibilities of a police officer, the day-to-day, as well as the specialty positions and what that looks like, which is a lot different than it is on TV,” said State College Police Community Relations Officer Kyleen Abrahamson.

The academy meets Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. at various police departments throughout the county. Rather than staying in one location, participants will visit multiple police stations, tour each facility and hear from officers with different areas of expertise.

Abrahamson said the rotating format is new this year and will give residents a better understanding of how departments throughout Centre County operate.

Classes will cover topics including patrol operations, criminal investigations, crash investigations, crime scene processing, tactical response and emergency vehicle operations. Participants will also meet K-9 officers and learn firsthand about the specialized training officers complete.

“People love learning about that behind-the-scenes stuff,” Abrahamson said of the crime scene investigation class. “It gives them some knowledge that they wouldn’t otherwise have from not participating.”

While the demonstrations are a major draw, Abrahamson said one of the academy’s greatest benefits is building relationships between officers and the communities they serve.

“I think they realize we’re very human too,” she said. “It’s such a more personal experience where we’re sitting there talking to you. It’s a two-way learning experience. We get to know some of our community members and the community members get to know us.”

The academy also highlights the cooperation among local law enforcement agencies. Abrahamson said departments routinely work together during major events, emergency responses and specialized operations, and the program helps residents better understand those partnerships.

“I think people just don’t realize how much collaboration there is,” she said. “It really is a partnership in Centre County.”

Anyone who passes the required background check is eligible to participate and Abrahamson encouraged anyone curious about law enforcement to apply regardless of their views of policing.

“If you want to learn more about policing, if you want to learn more about what we actually do, even if you’re a critic of police officers, that’s the best way to learn more,” she said. “Come join us for the seven weeks, two hours every Monday, engage with us and just get to see the other side.”

Applications are open through Monday, Aug. 24, or until all 20 spots have been filled. The academy is offered through a partnership between State College Police, Penn State Police, Ferguson Township Police, Patton Township Police, Bellefonte Police, Spring Township Police and the Centre County Sheriff’s Department.