Bergen County residents 18 and older can take the 9 week course designed to give a working knowledge of law enforcement policies and tactics

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has announced enrollment is open for the 16th class of the Citizen’s Police Academy, a nine-week course designed to give residents a working knowledge of law enforcement policies and tactics. Bergen County residents 18 and older are eligible to participate.

“One of the most important components of law enforcement is fostering strong relationships with the community,” Sheriff Michael Saudino said. “Our Citizen’s Police Academy gives residents firsthand knowledge of the important work police do to enhance police safety and protect Bergen County residents.” 

BCSO’s Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to educate participants on the functions of the Sheriff’s Office and the role the agency plays in Bergen County. The academy is offered in a classroom-style format with demonstration’s of equipment and tactics used by law enforcement.

Participants learn about the tools officers use in a broad range of areas including motor vehicle stops, homicide investigations, K-9 patrols and detection, drunk driving and crime scene analysis. The class will also receive tours of the Bergen County Jail, the “old” county jail in the Bergen County Courthouse, the Bureaus of Criminal Investigations (BCI), and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The next citizen’s police academy class is slated to begin Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Bergen County Jail. Class meets once a week at various locations around the county and concludes with a graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 14.

The deadline to register is Friday, March 13. Visit www.bcsd.us and click on Community Outreach and then Adult Programs. For more information, call 201-336-3540.