Applications Now Being Accepted for Metro Citizen’s Police Academy

(KNSI) — Five local police departments are teaming up once again for the Metro Citizens Police Academy.

The Police Departments of St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, and Waite Park are accepting applications for the once a week, eight week course offered to citizens and members of local civic and governmental organizations.

The departments are looking for a diverse group of applicants specifically interested in police procedures. Participants will get an up close look at many areas of law enforcement, including training, policies, criminal prosecutions, and other critical issues such as the use of force, arrest procedures, and general practices. As police-community relations have come under scrutiny in the last few years, the course is also aimed at fostering an open discussion while also examining training, equipment, and circumstances officers face on the streets every day.

A press release says the classes mirror some of the actual training that police officer candidates go through, but the classes are purely for information only and not designed to train citizens or promote them to act in an official law enforcement capacity.

Classes start Thursday, September 8th, and go from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at various departments and locations throughout the academy. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have a clean criminal record. Those who are interested must apply to the police department where they live. Applications can be found online for most departments. They can also be picked up at the departments themselves.

Application and registration materials for City of St. Cloud and St. Joseph residents can be found here.

Sartell residents can apply by clicking here.

Sauk Rapids residents can apply here.

Waite Park residents can apply by clicking here.

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