Learn About Local Police by Joining Upcoming Citizens Police Academy

South County residents can get an inside look at the department and operations of the St. Louis County Police in a nine-week Citizens Police Academy (CPA).

The Academy is hosted by different precincts throughout the year, with the South County CPA always bringing in a large crowd. Last year, the program graduated more than 90 people.

Each week focuses on a different aspect of the police force including the Drug Unit, Bomb and Arson Unit and Tactical Operations. Attendees will see weapons and K-9 demonstrations, equipment, the helicopter unit and learn the interworkings of their local precinct.

“We’ll take a field trip to the police academy and set up shooting simulations,” said Officer Mike Schira with the South County Precinct. “They’ll get to go to neighborhood watch picnics and see why we do things a certain way. You can experience it first hand and not through the TV shows."

The class lasts for nine weeks and is every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at starting Aug. 25. The CPA is free and open to anyone age 21 and older. The course is not progressive, so students will not fall behind by missing a class.

Interested participants can pick up an application at the South County Precinct, located at 3031 Telegraph Road or email southcountyprecinct@stlouisco.com. The applications must be returned to the precinct in person or by email.

“It’s a great experience for you to come and see exactly what you’re paying for,” Schira said. “You pay for the police department through taxes, not many people know we have this many departments.”

At the end of the course, police officers have a graduation celebration for all of the attendees.

“It’s a great way to get to know local police,” Schira said. “Each year it gets bigger and better.”