The 12th annual Citizen Police Academy will begin on Thursday, Aug. 16, in the Fredrick J. Beard Training/Emergency Operations Center at the West Carrollton Civic Center.

The 10-week course, open to those who live or work in the city, covers topics such as traffic accident investigation, evidence collection, speed patrol and fire arms training.

Several different officers conduct the training throughout the course, said Robert Hensley, administrative police sergeant. “We do our best to make it interesting and informative, and give our residents a better sense of what we do,” he said.

Participants learn more about the roles of dispatchers, detectives, officers, and other members of the police department.

The academy participants are also encouraged to “ride-along” with police officers to see how the police cruiser lap tops work and to practice using a radar speed gun. They also learn skills such as lifting fingerprints and driving in chase pursuit simulation, and also get the opportunity to experience the Taser gun.

“We have a lot of fun and it gives us a chance to build relationships with our residents and show them what we do each day,” Hensley said. “It’s the single most important tool that we have in the department,” he said.

The free class is held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each week. All participants receive a free shirt and are recognized before city council after completing the course.

For more information or to sign up for the class, call the West Carrollton police department at (937) 847-4672. The class is limited to 25 people.