Registration open for WRPD’s Citizen’s Police Academy

WARNER ROBINS – The Warner Robins Police Department has opened registration for its Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a free 10-week program that allows citizens to learn about different divisions in the police department once a week. It also gives them a glimpse into what the department does, how they do things and why they do things.

It will begin on Monday, March 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participants must be 18 or older.

Officer Greg Martin said his favorite part of the program is the opportunity to interact with the public and being able to educate them. 

Explaining the department’s policies and procedures builds a rapport with participants, which Martin said is the best part of the program. 

“We offer it just to educate folks. We want them to understand how we do things, why we do things. We also want them to be advocates for us because there’s a lot of people out there that think negatively of us or the police in general,” he said.

Martin said attendees will learn about the patrol division, Criminal Investigations Division, Narcotics Intelligence Unit, K9 unit, SWAT and the traffic division. They will also learn about the hiring process, use of force and firearms. Participants will have the opportunity to experience police training, ride with patrol officers on duty and go to the shooting range. 

Martin hopes attendees will promote the department in a positive way since they will have a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes.

The program is offered twice a year during the spring and fall, with more attendees in the spring. The class typically has between 10 to 12 participants; Martin hopes it increases to 25 to 30, because the more people educated, the better. 

Martin shared some people believe the police department does not do anything or is not performing well enough. However, he wants them to understand policing isn’t like what they see on television. Martin said it comes with processes, investigations and there are things they can or can’t do. 

“The more the people understand that, then maybe they’ll be a little bit more forgiving when they don’t think that things are happening the way they should,” he said.

The Citizen’s Police Academy will begin March 3 to May 5. Attendees will meet once a week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Warner Robins Police Department located at 100 Watson Boulevard. Participants do not have to be a citizen of Warner Robins to register.

To register click here .