Crime & Safety
Residents Take "Behind-the-Badge" Tour
Participants in the St. Louis County Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy gain insight into the inner workings of law enforcement.
After four weeks of presentations, tours and even a demonstration at the police firing range, 15 South County residents attended a graduation ceremony for the Citizens' Police Academy Thursday night at Grace Union Church in Mehlville.
Neighborhood Policing Officer Kevin Funston from the county's Affton-Southwest Precinct led the small group through the program and said it is designed to give citizens a broader view of what the police department does. Every Thursday for four weeks, the group met and heard a presentation from representatives of the department's various divisions and units.
However, the highlight is saved for the last week, when the group travels to the police firing range to see some demonstrations first-hand. Between the the bomb disposal unit and meeting the fur-covered officers on the K-9 squad, Funston said that trip is usually a favorite.
Find out what's happening in Mehlville-Oakvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
County police officer Dave Sebek said the "behind-the-badge" peek at the workings of law enforcement also helps build a better relationship between the community and the agency. Since the majority of people's dealings with police officers occur during times of crisis, Funston said it offers a chance to interact in a more cordial setting.
"It's nice to put a face to the people who patrol your streets," he said.
Find out what's happening in Mehlville-Oakvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It was that kind of opportunity that helped motivate graduate Denise Fuhr to join the program. She said having a personal relationship with officers can make a big difference.
"You feel like you have a friend coming to help you." she said.
Now that they have completed the Citizens' Police Academy, the graduates are eligible to join the Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA). The association acts a volunteer support group, a kind of booster club for cops, that helps the precincts and puts together events honoring law enforcement members, such as the Officer of the Year Banquet.
"We try to do anything we can for the police department," said South County CPAAA President Earlene Judd during a short speech to the graduates.