By Sylvia Rosen
DANVERS — Citizens will get the chance to ride around in a police cruiser and learn how to fire a weapon at the citizens police academy beginning Tuesday, March 2.
The class runs for 10 weeks and offers Danvers residents insight into how police officers perform their duties and how the department serves the community.
Police officers, supervisors and civilian instructors with particular expertise will discuss topics including patrolling, firearms, criminal law, crime analysis and mapping, and the legal process.
The academy was started years ago with the intent to allow Danvers residents to see what the Police Department does. In past years, the department has allowed up to 20 participants.
"Usually they see us in bad times, and they don't know what goes on behind the scenes," Sgt. Robert Bettencourt said. "This gives them the insight on why we do the things we do."
Bettencourt said the Police Department recognizes that Danvers residents are the "eyes and ears of the department." Residents have helped the police solve crimes and are the department's biggest advocates.
"They have become an extended family to the Police Department," he said.
According to Bettencourt, participants are most interested in the ride-along, firearms lesson and motor vehicle lesson.
The ride-along for four hours in the police cruiser allows participants to observe officers at accident sites, alarm calls or drunken-driving stops — all at a safe distance.
The firearms lesson gives participants a chance to fire a police gun under the supervision of firearm instructors.
Participants are also interested in the motor vehicle lesson when they learn why and how police position their cars a certain way at a stop. For each lesson, there is a different officer so citizens will meet as many officers in the department as they can.
The academy is free to any citizen who lives or works in Danvers. To apply, contact Bettencourt in Community Services (978-774-1213, ext. 134) and an application will be mailed to you, or you can pick one up at the Danvers police station. Applications can also be downloaded off the Danvers police Web site at www.danverspolice.com.
