WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Warner Robins Police Department is reintroducing a series of classes that offer insight into law enforcement and the various divisions within the department.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is a 12-week program designed to give everyday citizens an insight into various aspects of law enforcement, according to Ofc. Greg Martin, the program’s organizer.
“They get a better understanding of how and why we do the things that we do at Warner Robins Police Department,” Martin said.
Martin explained that students in the program will have the opportunity to learn from various agency departments, including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigation, Narcotics Intelligence, and K9 Divisions.
The upcoming classes will also cover various aspects of the department’s work, including the hiring process, crime scene investigation, and firearm safety at the shooting range. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to visit the agency’s forensics laboratory, tour the Houston County 911 Center, and even ride with a police officer.
According to Martin, a new addition to the class will cover the department’s Peer Support Team, which helps officers with their mental health and handling job stressors.
Martin explained the program will consist mostly of presentations, Q&A sessions, and interactive elements such as the ride-along and shooting range. He also emphasized that anyone over 18 years old is welcome to sign up for the program online, but that it is not the same as mandated training.
“It’s a good introduction, but you are not going to come out as a police officer after the class,” Martin said.
Martin said the class saw more popularity in the spring of last year and reported an overall positive response from attendees.
“Everybody that has come through has thoroughly enjoyed it, found it very informative. Everybody highly recommends it if somebody asked about it,” Martin said.
According to Martin, the goal of the class is twofold: citizens can better understand the agency’s inner workings and then can help break the stigma surrounding law enforcement. Martin mentioned the department also offers firearm safety and women’s self-defense classes as a part of their educational initiatives.
“It goes two ways: we help them understand and then they help us, help people understand. It’s all about education; we’re all trying to educate folks,” Martin said.
Additionally, the department is involved in community outreach efforts such as fundraising for the Special Olympics through the Law Enforcement Torch Run and participating in various community events hosted by the city, such as the Food Truck Roundup. Department members will also participate in a Polar Plunge fundraiser at Lake Acworth in late February.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is a free program that will be held every Thursday evening from March 7 to May 23. Classes will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will start at the Law Enforcement Center, located at 100 Watson Boulevard. At least ten people are required to sign up for the program to begin, but there is always room for more, Martin said.
To sign up for the class, visit https://wrga.gov/613/Community-Events.
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