The Newtown Police Department will offer its 20th Citizen Police Academy program on law enforcement and the criminal justice system for the general public.

The free program, which will start on April 1, is open to people who are at least age 18.

Patrol Sergeant Matthew Wood will serve as coordinator for the academy sessions, which will be held weekly.

The program provides participating residents and business owners with an overview of local law enforcement. Through classroom sessions and through hands-on instruction, participants will be shown how local law enforcement operates.

Classes are scheduled to start on Wednesday, April 1. They will be held on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 pm. The program has ten sessions.

The sessions will be held at town-owned facilities. Field trips also are planned.

Sgt Wood lists a range of topics to be included as subject a matter in the course. They are: a police station tour, the police hiring process, field training for police, police patrol operations, crime prevention, crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, a police dog demonstration, traffic enforcement, firearms, and police weaponry.  

The course will include discussion on laws covering motor vehicles and drunken driving (DUI). Laws covering juveniles and the schools also will be discussed.

Academy participants will have an opportunity ride along with a police officer while on patrol duty. Participants would not be placed in any dangerous situations during such periods, according to police.

Most of the instructors for the academy are town police officers. Some of the instructors would be from other agencies, such as the state’s attorney’s office and the FBI.

Sgt Wood said the academy is open to the residents of Newtown and surrounding towns. Preference would be given to Newtown residents on a first-come, first-served basis. The class size is limited to 25 people.

Applicants for the academy will be subject to a “criminal history record verification” before acceptance into the academy.

To apply to participate in the program, people must complete an application form. Paper applications are available at the police station lobby at 3 Main Street. Electronic applications are available at the police department’s website.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 18. People who have been approved to attend the academy will be contacted by police to confirm that they have been approved.

Those interested in learning more about the academy may contact Sgt Wood at 203-426-5841 or matthew.wood@newtown-ct.gov.