Area residents and business people will have an opportunity to learn how a municipal law enforcement agency functions, as the Newtown Police Department again offers its free informational program known as Citizen Police Academy to the general public.

The academy sessions will start on Sunday, March 25. The program has a minimum age of 18 for participation. The deadline to sign up for the academy is March 15. Registration is required for participation.

The academy will meet at ten sessions, each of which will be held on Sundays, from 3 to 6 pm. The location will be announced.

Newtown police officers will be the instructors at most of the sessions. The academy will be led by Sergeant Matthew Wood. Sgt Wood, who is one of seven sergeants at the department, joined the organization in 2004. He is a state-certified drug recognition expert.

The course, which is intended for laypeople, provides general information to civilians interested in learning about police work. The course will provide information on law enforcement in the context of the criminal justice system.

Subject matter may include a tour of the police station, and information about the police hiring process, field training, patrol operations, crime prevention, crime scene investigations, a police dog demonstration, traffic enforcement, policies on firearms and weaponry, and motor vehicle law enforcement, with a focus on DUI enforcement.

People interested in participating are required to complete an application. Applications are available at the police station at 3 Main Street, on the department's website at newtown-ct.gov/police-department (click on the Citizen Police Academy button within the blue banner on the left side of the page), and through the department's Facebook page. Applicants will be subject to a "criminal history record verification" prior to their approval to take the course.

Sgt Wood may be contacted by telephone at 203-426-5841 or at matthew.wood@newtown-ct.gov.