Police to Offer Citizens Academy in Spanish

Working to strengthen the relationship between the Latino community and law enforcement, the Costa Mesa Police Department soon will offer its popular Citizens Academy in Spanish.

The nine-week course, which starts April 15, will introduce civilians to specialties within the department, including SWAT, canine and narcotics units, patrol, traffic and investigations. Field and lab work will include firearm safety instruction and on-duty rides in squad cars.

English-language versions of the course, which started about a year and a half ago, are so popular that there are waiting lists.

Spanish-speaking officers and department translators plan to help teach. The curriculum is the same.

“The only difference is the language,” said Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave Snowden.

Police developed the course with help from the Latino Leadership Council, an arm of the Chamber of Commerce that had pressed the department to hire more Spanish-speaking officers and address cultural issues in the city’s westside.

“We have a need in our community to build a stronger bridge with the Hispanic community,” Snowden said. “The more they understand what the city and the Police Department are doing on their behalf, the more they are willing to participate in some of our activities.”

Members of the Latino Leadership Council, at a breakfast meeting Tuesday, called the classes a step in the right direction in their efforts to work with police.

There are three openings in the 30-seat academy. Any applicants over the limit will be placed on a waiting list for classes that begin in January.

Interested parties must be at least 21, live or work in the city and be free of outstanding warrants or felony convictions or misdemeanor arrests within the past three years.

Applications are at the Westside Police Substation, 567 W. 18th St.

Information: (714) 722-6714.