BUENA PARK : Excitement, Insight at Police Academy

Nanette Camporeale had hoped her police ride-along would be exciting, but she had not expected four “Code 3” emergencies in a row, including one for an officer under fire.

“We heard his voice over the radio and it was chilling,” she said. “These cops don’t get the credit they deserve.”

That reaction is just what Police Department officials had in mind when they organized the Citizen Police Academy in April.

“We wanted you to have a window on those hours of boredom and moments of terror,” said Chief Richard Tefank as he presided over the academy’s second graduating class of 26 residents last week.

Another reason for the 10-week course, he said, is to get officers out of their cars and into the neighborhoods so residents can see how police spend their $6.4 million budget--nearly one-quarter the city’s income.

Much of that money is devoted to the hours of boredom. Police and others lectured on such topics as how assignments are made and which 911 calls get top priority. Others impressed the group with demonstrations of crime scene investigations, which particularly grabbed resident Cara Brookhouse.

“I was very impressed with the organization,” she said.

If nothing else, the participants get a better perspective on police work than they have by watching reruns of “Dragnet” and “Adam 12,” Tefank said.

The department has a continuing program for those who get caught up in the excitement--a new volunteer division at the police station.