Balch Springs Citizen Police Academy
What is it?
The Balch Springs Police Department Citizen Police Academy is a 35-hour
block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the
Balch Springs Police Department's personnel and policies. It consists of 13
classes, held once a week at nights, for three hours per class. The instruction
is comprehensive, covering a different area of the police department each
week. Certified Police Officers, Supervisors, and personnel with particular
expertise, in a particular division, conduct each instructional block. There
will also be guest instructors in certain areas.
Who may attend?
The class is made up of a cross section of the Balch Springs Community. Any
interested citizen who resides or works in Balch Springs Texas is encouraged
to attend. Applicants who are selected must be 19 years of age, reside or work
in Balch Springs Texas, and can not have a felony conviction.
The Purpose:
The Balch Springs Citizen Police Academy was created in order to provide
enough information to the citizens of our community that attend so that they
may make informed judgements about the police department and police
activity. The Academy gives citizens the opportunity to learn why we "can"
and/or "can not" do certain things. It is hoped that the instruction will
increase police awareness to dispel suspicions and misconceptions, and to
increase police/community rapport through this educational process. The
Department, in turn, becomes more aware of the feelings and concerns of the
community from the students' interaction and input. Indeed, the Academy is
a two-way learning experience.
Topics:
The Balch Springs Citizen Police Academy covers such diverse topics of
training as communications, training, criminal investigations, criminal law,
Crime prevention, DWI investigations, Family Violence, Juvenile Law, and
firearms and their use. Emphasis is placed on the patrol division because the
patrol division is the segment that comes in contact with the public the most
and all other areas of the police department function as a support unit to
assist patrol or continue a process originated by the patrol division.
Note:
The Balch Springs Citizen Police Academy class is limited to twenty (20)
people. Students may be asking for a small fee to cover the charges of
materials that will be issued to all students.
AFTER GRADUATION...
Keep informed and stay involved. Join the Balch Springs Citizen's Police
Academy Alumni Association.
Alumni Association Officers
Contact C.L.O. Sam Allen 972/557-6017 or email
Allen501@balchspringspd.com