Police Academy seeks students
Interested in learning more about what goes on in Hartselle’s police department and getting to know its officers better?
If you do, you’re the kind of person being sought to attend the fifth Hartselle Police Academy.
The academy will open its next six-weeks session Feb. 10 with space for 20 students. Classes will be taught Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the training room (basement) at Hartselle Utilities.
“This is a great opportunity for our citizens to familiarize themselves with all of the operations of the police department and to become personally acquainted with our officers,” said Capt. Tom Sparks, head of the investigations department. “It’s a win-win for both the police department and the community.”
Lt. Linda Fox will serve as facilitator for the course while other officers will instruct students on their particular specialty within the department.
Subjects covered during the course will include administration, budget, patrol, and criminal investigation and narcotics investigation. In addition, students will have hands on opportunities to observe officers working traffic stops, domestic violence and firearms. As part of a firearms familiarization study, they will get to fire a handgun at the department’s firing range.
After the course is completed, graduates receive diplomas and are given the opportunity to join the Hartselle Police Academy Alumni Association. The organization provides citizen volunteers for ball game parking, traffic control, clerical work and other assistance to the police department. They are also eligible to ride patrol with police officers
To register, go online at www.hartsellepolicedepartment.com and fill out an application form, or pick up an application form at the HPD’s main office. Deadline is Jan. 31.
