Twenty one citizens dedicated to a ten week course graduated from the 2012 Brownwood Police Department Citizen Police Academy Tuesday evening at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center.
This graduation recognized each participant for dedicating 10 weeks beginning in January, learning about how the police department is operated and how tax dollars are spent. Students learned police techniques and on a more basic front; found out why police officers do the things they do. They also got the chance to use police equipment. For instance, during the course, students dusted for fingerprints, used a radar gun, watched a taser demo, and shot a variety of firearms. Students also saw officers in action as they had the opportunity to ride patrol with police officers. Several “guest” instructors from different areas such as prosecutors and social agencies were also present during the CPA classes.
“This particular class was one of the best CPAs I’ve been to,” complimented Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley. “You were very involved; involved with the class and I really appreciate your input.”
The guest speaker of the event, former chief of police and retired TCLEOSE Executive Director Tim Braaten, gave a history of law enforcement and how it developed from the town crier who served as a “watchman” in a village into the modern day paid officer position. He explained that police are “cops,” which is not a derogatory word, rather the shortened form of “citizens on patrol.”
“We need knowledgeable citizens who are a little suspicious, and I think you all are a little more suspicious about behavior now, who looks at a situation and who can look at people and situations and know a little more about what is happening,” said Braaten. “There is nothing more powerful than an informed citizen.”
Representatives of the Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers were present and board member Julie Schwartz spoke about the program and its success in our area.
“In our area, within the last 18 months, 375 anonymous calls have been received on our tip line,” said Schwartz. “Over $11,000 in cash rewards have been paid out in that same 18 months.”
Schwartz explained that with the combination of law enforcement, Citizens Police Academy and Crime Stoppers, “the job of being a criminal is going to be tough.”
Chief Corley encourages the public to take part in the Citizen Police Academy which provides not only an understanding of the police department, but also makes the citizen an educated and more aware member of society, which ultimately helps keep the city safe. Citizens are the extra eyes and ears needed to prevent or solve crimes.
“We want the students to experience what our officers experience on a regular duty shift in Brownwood, Texas. Students will probably see Brownwood as they have never seen it before,” said Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley when speaking about the CPA experience. “I encourage all of our citizens to consider attending the Citizen’s Police Academy. I promise it will be an experience you will remember and appreciate for a long time.”
Graduates of the 2012 Citizen Police Academy (pictured top) are:
Richard Couch Richard Hodges Carole Smith
Leslie Courington Jodie Hohertz Ryan Smithey
Donna Delso Sheryl Jowers Laura Terhune
Chris Ellet Chuck Nicks Donna Thompson
Wayne Goforth Ryan Mask Jeff Turner
Robert Goodwin CaSandra Mendoza Allison Voss
Cynthia Heathcock Larry Shields Blake Yancy
