Glendale Police Department offers community academy to residents

Glendale residents interested in getting a behind-the-scenes peek at the inner workings of the Glendale police force can now sign up for a 10-week community academy.

The class, limited to 35 participants, will run from Aug. 12 to Oct. 21, meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.

Participants will hear from Glendale police officers and detectives about the different units within the agency, such as the robbery-and-homicide, traffic, narcotics, financial crimes and K-9 units. Judges, civilian employees and Glendale Police Chief Robert Castro will also give presentations during the academy.

The class will include hands-on learning exercises, such as training with a firearms simulator, as well as a day at the Glendale police shooting range.

Police have offered the program a handful of times, depending on staffing and budgetary availabilities, with the last class graduating two years ago.

“It gives the public an idea of how the police department operates,” said Glendale Police spokeswoman Tahnee Lightfoot. “When funding and staffing is available, the Glendale Police Department will continue to put on the citizen’s academy.”

A background check is required to participate in the program.

To download an application for the program, visit www.glendaleca.gov.