O'Fallon Citizen Police Academy Graduates Learn About Weapons, Investigations

Twenty-four people graduated from the O'Fallon Citizen Police Academy (CPA) on April 16.

The academy was created to foster good relations between the O'Fallon Police Department and the community of O'Fallon. Graduates of the six-week CPA get a first-hand experience with policing.

While in the CPA, the graduates learned about patrol operations through ride-along assignments with O'Fallon police officers. They also received instruction in investigations (criminal, traffic, DWI and crime scene), drug awareness, and the use of force through taser and less-lethal weapons.

Graduates toured the department and spent a day at the O'Fallon firearms range for hand-on experience. They learned about the K-9 program, the Community Services Secion and the St. Charles County Regional SWAT team.

The Citizens Police Academy is generally held once a year in the spring for two nights per week plus a Saturday at the shooting range. Applications for the program are available on the police department website.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Live, work or attend school within St. Charles County
• Be at least 18 years of age, have no prior felony convictions, have not been a suspect in a crime involving moral turpitude, have no involvement in criminal behavior or have police contact believed to compromise the integrity of the Citizen Police Academy or the O’Fallon Police Department and have no outstanding warrants
• Provide two personal references

Past participants are allowed to attend future classes, but preference will be given to first-time participants if the class exceeds 24 participants. There is a $30 fee to attend.