Citizens' academy begins second year

The Oberlin Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2010 Citizen's Police Academy.

The Citizens Police Academy is a free 10-week program designed to introduce community members to the many aspects of law enforcement, and to strengthen the partnership between the police department and the Oberlin community.

To be eligible candidates must be at least 18 years of age, and living, working, or attending school in Oberlin. Participants must never have been convicted of a felony, have no misdemeanor arrests in the prior two years, and be willing to submit to a record check.

Topics include dispatch, patrol, accident investigations, firearms, juveniles, drug investigations, K-9 demo, SWAT, ride-a-longs, and more. Classes meet once a week on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Oberlin Police Department.

This is the second year the police department has offered the program. Public information officer Lt. Mike McCloskey said the participants in last year's program came to appreciate the police department more than they had previously.

"It was beneficial, not only for the citizens that participated, but also for the officers to get to know the people in the community," McCloskey said. "So it benefitted both sides."

Applications are available for pick up at the police department. For more information contact McCloskey at (440) 774-1061 or email police@oberlinpd.com.