The Elmhurst Citizen's Police Academy will be offered free of charge for residents interested in getting first-hand experience and working knowledge of law enforcement. The program is designed to help people who live and work in Elmhurst gain a better understanding of factors that influence the functioning of the department on a day-to-day basis, including personnel, equipment, legal and procedural issues, as well as the responsibilities and demands of the job.

The 12-week program is limited to 25 students. One block of instruction will be offered each week, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 14-June 6. Each week will focus on a particular area of law enforcement, and will allow participants an opportunity to experience hands-on training.

Classes include:

• laws of arrest
• defensive tactics
• crime scene analysis
• interviewing and interrogation
• investigations
• Emergency Response Team
• traffic stops
• Community Oriented Policing
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education
• internet investigations
• firearms
• K-9

The first Citizen's Police Academy class was held in the fall of 2000. Since then, about 300 citizens have participated in the program.

"We are continually looking for new ideas that take us out into the community and provide an opportunity to not only meet the citizens but also leave them with a positive impression," according to the CPA website.

Classes will be held at the Elmhurst Police Department's training room, 125 E. First St. For more information, call Cmdr. Robert Nicholas at (630) 530-3057. Applications can be submitted online, or the form can be downloaded here.