Oakland, CA —Monday, June 10, 2013, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) will be holding a graduation ceremony and celebration for its 34th Citizens Police Academy this evening at the OPD Eastmont Substation. Chief Sean Whent will be in attendance. Thirty-two community members successfully completed the 14-week course. This academy was the first to provide simultaneous Spanish translation for academy participants.
The Citizens Police Academy is a community program offered to members of the public who live or work in Oakland. The free course provides an opportunity for participants to learn about Police Department operations as well as the policies and procedures that drive those operations. “The Citizens Police Academy is an excellent way for community members to get a clearer understanding of what police work is really all about, and to get to know some of the men and women who make up the Department. I strongly support this connection between the Police Department and the community. This is an opportunity for us to learn from each other,” said Chief Whent.
Date: Monday June 10, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: 2651 73rd Avenue, Eastmont Substation
Media Welcome
During the course, students had conversations with command staff, police officers, dispatchers, and field technicians. They took tours of the crime lab and dispatch center and participated in “ride-alongs” with patrol officers and evidence technicians. Students are walking away with a clearer picture of what it takes to be a member of the police force in Oakland and a better understanding of police work in general.
The graduating students will be addressed by Chief Whent during the graduating ceremony. Monday’s graduation ceremony will take place at 6:00 PM, at OPD Eastmont Substation, located at 2651 73rd Avenue in East Oakland, and will be followed by a small reception.
Due to overwhelming interest in this Citizens Police Academy, OPD will offer a second academy this fall. The 35th Citizens Police Academy start date will be announced in July 2013.
For more information, please contact the Media Relations Office at (510) 238-7230 or [email protected]. Visit Nixle.com to receive Oakland Police Department alerts, advisories and community messages, or follow OPD on Twitter, @oaklandpoliceca.
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