Residents and business people will have an opportunity to learn about the operations of a law enforcement agency as the Newtown Police Department again offers its Citizen Police Academy informational program to the general public.

Known as Citizen Police Academy XXI, it is the 21st time that the department will offer the free informational course comprising ten weekly three-hour sessions on Wednesdays. The course starts on March 30. Registration is required.

Police Patrol Sergeant Matthew Wood will lead the course intended for civilians interested in learning about police work. Sgt Wood, who is one of six patrol sergeants at the department, joined the organization in 2004. He is a state-certified drug recognition expert and is qualified to interpret the symptoms of drug intoxication for law enforcement purposes.

Sgt Wood said he enjoys serving as the lead instructor in the academy because it allows him to interact with members of the public in a casual manner, rather than in law enforcement situations.

The course will show participants what police do, why they do it, and how they do it, Sgt Wood said.

The course will provide information on law enforcement in the context of the criminal justice system.

Besides classroom instruction, the course will offer some hands-on instructional sessions.

Subject matter will include a tour of the police station, learning about the police hiring process, police field training, patrol operations, crime prevention, crime scene investigation, a police dog demonstration, traffic enforcement, and police firearms and weaponry.

Sessions will be held on law enforcement for motor vehicle violations with a focus on driving under the influence. Law which pertains to juvenile and schools will be discussed.

As part of the academy, participants will have an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer for four hours. Academy members would not be put in any dangerous situations.

Most of the course instructors will be town police officers, with instructors from other agencies leading some of the sessions.

The academy is open to residents of Newtown and surrounding towns who are at least age 18. Newtown residents will have first priority to attend. The maximum class size is 25.

People interested in participating are required to complete an application. Applications are available at the police station at 3 Main Street or on the police department's website at .newtown-ct.gov

The deadline for submitting applications is March 15. Applicants will be subject to a "criminal history record verification" prior to their acceptance in the academy.

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