White Lake-Area Residents Sign Up for Citizens Academy

The Next White Lake Township Citizens Academy doesn't start until March, but people are already registering for their spots in the 13-week workshop.

The free Citizens Academy, which began in 2004, takes place twice a year, said Chief of Police Edward Harris. There have been 16 Citizens Academies since 2004, and there are normally 25 participants. Preference is given to those who live in the White Lake community.

After the last academy wrapped up on Dec. 1, participants learned that during those 13 weeks, White Lake Township police had written 799 tickets, performed more than 2,200 neighborhood checks, written 212 crash reports, responded to 40 assaults and batteries, caught 25 drunk drivers and responded to 108 larcenies. While White Lake Township police were doing this, the township police and fire departments taught area residents about different aspects of public safety.

The popular, weekly sessions include a “field trip” to the gun range at the Waterford Police Department, where participants fire the weapons White Lake police carry, Harris said. In addition, members of Citizens Academy visit the for a presentation by the medical examiner.

Since the morgue field trip takes place in the evening, the presentation doesn’t include looking at any actual bodies. Instead, the medical examiner shows slides and shares stories.

Citizens Academy participants also visit the for a look at the helicopter and a K-9 dog demonstration. When the class spends time with the participants suit up in firefighting gear and learn to use the hoses, Harris said. They also do some hands-on work with extrication tools, which are used to remove victims from vehicles after accidents.

Other topics include ID theft, judicial aspects of police work, fire department operations, and school resource officer/patrol operator and tactical operations.

The Citizens Academy concludes with a and dinner, he said. Participants receive certificates and a 12-chapter binder.

People leave the weekly sessions saying they can’t wait until next week. And they learn what police and firefighters do, and why they do it, Harris said. Citizens learn how they can help public safety employees help them, when people need a response from police or firefighters.

For more information or to register, contact (248) 698-1042. Class size is limited, and participants must pre-register. The 13-week Citizens Academy Session XVII begins Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 6:30 p.m., at the White Lake Township Hall, 7525 Highland Road.