(Bridgeport, CT – March 6, 2013) — The Bridgeport Police Department is accepting applications for its annual Citizens Police Academy, which is designed to give citizens an up-close understanding of the police department and its efforts to prevent and solve crime and protect citizens.  “The Citizens Academy provides residents and business owners with an inside look at law enforcement and the city’s police force. It lets community members better know their officers and helps officers better know their community,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “The goal is to build relationships and have the graduates come back to their communities as ambassadors.”
The application deadline is March 15, and the academy will be held on Thursday evenings from April 4 to June 20.
Participants will have unique access and opportunities to engage and interact with police. The students will have an chance to do a ride-along with a patrol officer, tour the city’s 911 center, see a demonstration by one of the department’s  K-9 teams and learn about crime scene processing. They also will gain insight into gangs and learn about the operations about the narcotics and vice unit.  “The police department and public need to work together to make Bridgeport the safest city possible. Neither can do it alone,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “This is a real opportunity for people to interact one-on-one with their police officers and learn how they do the job.”
The class size will be limited to 30 students.
Here are some basic requirements:
·    Students must be 21 or older.
·    They must be a Bridgeport resident, taxpayer or business owner.
·    They must be U.S. citizens
Candidates must be of good moral character, in good physical condition and cannot have convictions of a felony or Class A or B misdemeanor.
For more information, please contact Sgt. Meekins at the department’s Community Services Division at 203-576-8278.
The sessions will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the department’s training academy.
Applications will be available on the Police Department website and at the Community Services Division.