CPA graduation is Sunday

Published 12:08 am Saturday, November 13, 2010

Leon Clark, a graduate of the first Citizens Police Academy.

Sunday, the Demopolis Police Department will graduate 13 local residents from its second Citizen’s Police Academy class.

The eight-week program is supervised by police chief Tommie Reese and is geared towards showing the public how the police department works and other information about police work.

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“It was a great experience,” Bob Howerton, the second class’ president said, “just learning what the police officers do day in and day out, and getting a better understanding how the department works.”

The first class graduated in August. Sunday’s graduation will bring total participation to 27 and Reese already has eyes on the next group of students.

“We’re going to have three sessions each year,” he said. “The next one will be held around February or March of next year.”

Graduation of the course enrolls attendees into the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, a group Reese said he hopes could become a steering committee of sorts for future classes and the department.

“For those who complete the course, we are hoping to be able to become alumni of the Citizens Academy and come back and give input and become more involved with the police department,” he said.

Graduation will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Police Department. The public is invited to attend.