St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department relaunches Citizens Academy

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is set to relaunch the Citizens Academy program, a program that offers residents an inside look into the day-to-day operations of an SLMPD officer.

The relaunch of the Citizens Academy is an effort to strengthen the bond between the department and the community. The 12-week program will offer participants classroom instructions, a tour of the 911 center, a visit with the department's canines, a chance to use driving and shooting simulators, and more.

Classes will be held each Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. for twelve weeks, beginning April 17. The last session culminates in a graduation ceremony.

"This is a fascinating and unique opportunity," Mitch McCoy, SLMPD Director of Public Affairs, said. "Members of our community will be able to visit with our police K-9s; they get to interact with our departments bomb and arson robots; they can tour the 911 center; they get to see the makeup and structure of our department; and they work with our gang intelligence detectives, and they get a really fascinating, inside look at what our officers do every day."

If your interested in participating in the Citizens Academy, you can visit slmpd.org to learn more about the program and to fill out an application.