The department is bringing back the academy for the first time in more than five years
The Burlington Township Police Department is revamping its Citizens Police Academy. The department previously ran a successful academy program, but due to budget cuts, it hasn’t happened in more than five years. This year, the department is bringing it back.
The eight-week academy is designed for adults and will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and will continue every Tuesday night until graduation on March 14. Classes will start by 6 p.m. and are generally over by 9 p.m.
“[The academy] is good community policing,” Director of Public Safety Bruce Painter said. “Our residents will know exactly what we do out there and what they expect of our guys and get a good firsthand experience.”
Painter says another reason the department wants to bring back the academy is because of the ever-increasing tension between police departments and communities. He wants to provide transparency within the Burlington Township Police Department and build a bond of trust between residents and the department in hopes of doing away with the “us versus them” mentality.
Painter added he believes one of the department’s strong suits has always been confronting issues head on and not shying away from them, so transparency isn’t a new concept to the BTPD.
“It’s getting to build that trust with the residents and the police department. It opens the eyes to what we actually do,” Painter said.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about basic criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, crime scenes, traffic safety units, motor vehicle crash investigation and mental health awareness as well as watch demonstrations from a police K-9 and firearms unit and participate in a ride along with an officer.
Presentations will cover everything from why police officers stand certain ways to how to tell if a firearm is real or fake.
“Our goal is to allow the citizens to do it. Let them go through and see how they would feel in our shoes,” Painter said.
Painter says the academy is a fun environment that helps both the department and the participants.
In addition to the Citizens Police Academy, the department also holds an Emergency Services Youth Academy every summer that Painter says is a way to introduce kids to the field of law enforcement. The youth program expands beyond the police department to include the fire department and the Endeavor Emergency Squad. Painter says the plan is to continue to hold the Emergency Services Youth Academy every year, as he feels it has been very successful.
While Painter says the police department may eventually open the Citizens Police Academy to people from other communities, it is currently exclusive for Burlington Township residents and employees. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a resident, student or business owner in Burlington Township, willing and able to attend all classes and submit to a character investigation that consists of a criminal records check. The class is free and is limited to 30 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to apply, contact officer Stanley Tarasewicz at (609) 239–5852 or starasewicz56@burltwppd.com.
