Academy Gives Taste of Law Enforcement Life

The Greenfield Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy is built around hand-on experiences and first-hand looks at the ins and outs of law enforcement.

You might, however, want to think twice before raising your hand when they call for volunteers for the TASER demonstration.

The police department is currently accepting applications for its Citizen Police Academy, a nine-week course that gives citizens a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a police officer.

“The number one thing is (participants) understand more of what police officers do,” Captain Paul Schlecht said. “Basically, their knowledge is based on what they see on TV shows and what they read in the paper. … (Through the academy), they get a better understanding of why we do what we do.”

Twelve to 15 applicants will be enrolled in the academy, which begins March 10. Classes are held at the Greenfield Law Enforcement Center and run from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays through May 12 (no class April 21), as well as Saturday, April 9, for firearms training.

Schlecht said one of the main goals of the academy is to change peoples’ perspective of the police department and its employees and to wipe away misconceptions. Schlecht used a routine traffic stop as an example. When the person being pulled over attempts to get out of the car, the officer yells at him or her and demands he or she gets back in, not because the officer is having a bad day or is mean, but for safety.

“Ordinary citizens that get stopped in a traffic stop know they’re not a criminal, that they’re not a bad person, but the officer doesn’t know that,” Schlecht said. “People don’t understand that until they get in the car and start pulling over random people,” as part of the academy.

The academy also allows the department to showcase the men and women who serve the city. Schlecht does some of the instruction himself, but every class has two or three department employees involved.

“They get to meet a lot of the people that work here,” Schlecht said. They find out they’re just normal people like themselves.”

The course is filled with unique experiences. There is a firearms training session, a K-9 unit demonstration, a chance to collect crime scene evidence, demonstrations on when to use deadly force, lessons on speed detection devices and how they work and police ride-alongs.

“The other thing they really enjoy is the class on the TASER – how it works, why we do it, how it fits into law enforcement,” Schlecht said. “And we have volunteers who take a TASER (hit).”

Any adult 18 or older that is a Greenfield resident or employed in the city of Greenfield may apply. Applicants must have a clear criminal record and a minimal driving violation record.

Selection of applicants is made to provide a cross-section of citizenry in each class to maximize perspectives, observations and personal experience. Attendance of 80 percent of scheduled sessions is required for graduation.

For more information or an application, contact Schlecht at 414-761-5338.