Signups open for Citizens Police Academy
Applications are due by Friday, June 29; classes begin in August

The Simi Valley Police Department is offering the Citizens Police Academy to members of the community.

The program is designed to increase understanding of the operational policies and procedures of the police department and the Ventura County Criminal Justice System.

Classes will be for 12 weeks from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning Thursday, August 16 at the Simi Valley Police Department, 3901 Alamo St., Simi Valley. Class size is limited to 25 persons and the program is free.

Students receive instruction from representatives of the Simi Valley Police Department, the Ventura County District Attorney's office and other agencies.

Class topics include narcotics, K9, dispatch, patrol, investigations, gangs, crime analysis, SWAT, traffic enforcement, the criminal justice system and other related areas.

Students are required to participate in a ride-a-long with a uniformed SVPD officer.

The Citizens Police Academy is coordinated through the police department's Fiscal Services Unit and is open to any adult who lives or works in Simi Valley, provided that they do not have any felony convictions or pending criminal actions at the time of application.

Applicants will be required to undergo the same criminal history check required for all ride a longs prior to acceptance into the program.

Applications are available at the police department or can be mailed upon request. Completed forms are due at the police department by Friday, June 29.

For more information, call Janet Seghi, volunteer coordinator, at (805) 583-6927.