Santa Maria’s Community Police Academy Accepting Applications For Spring
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Applications are being accepted for the spring course of Santa Maria’s Community Police Academy.
This is a class for civilians.
It’s been running for three decades now, and it’s open to all community members.
Every Thursday evening at 6:30 for 8 weeks starting February 19th, Santa Maria police officers engage with community members at the station on Betteravia, giving them an inside perspective on their job.
“It's a non formal interaction that we get to just kind of be ourselves, talk,” says Sgt. Oscar Corral of Santa Maria Police Department. “That's what makes it really rewarding is we get to hear their perspective, and teach them what we do, and hear from them. Concerns, questions or just, you know, something they've learned throughout the academy.”
Active duty instructors say a wide range of subjects is covered in the class, including law enforcement philosophy, various methods and procedures, as well as how the department is structured.
“What we've done in the past, and that's also received good feedback is we'll do scenarios,” says Sgt. Corral. “So we'll have actors act out what a typical like crime would be here in the city and we have our participants basically be in the shoes of the officers and go through the steps that need to be done after learning what an officer does.”
The academy scenarios provide insight into criminal law, traffic, patrol routines, investigation protocols, in addition to the nuances of narcotic and gang enforcement.
“It has made me more aware of my surroundings,” says Connie Kruse, who lives in Santa Maria and has taken the course. “My eyes have been opened to when you're out and about and things that are happening, I can look back and think, I think I know what they're doing now.”
Community members who have taken the course say
that, even if there was a sign-up fee, it would be worth paying for.
“I think one of my favorite ones was standing right out here and using the radar gun, able to see how fast people were flying by,” says Kruse. “Also, you were able to see what a person who's intoxicated—they'd have you walk on the line and you would wear the goggles, which showed just how you know how bad it can be.”
The course is free, and you can sign up for the class by scanning the QR code you see on their flyers and social media pages.
Graduates of the class say they gained a greater understanding of police work, and better relationships with the men and women in uniform.
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