The Artesia Police Department will be giving interested citizens a glimpse into the life of a law enforcement officer through a series of classes scheduled over the next several months.
“A Taste of the Blue” is similar to the APD’s past citizens’ academies, and participation is free to vary from a single class to a few to the entire series.
All classes will be held at the Public Safety Complex, 3300 W. Main St., according to the schedule below. If the class has two dates listed, the same material will be presented at both sessions.
Classes are limited to a maximum of 24 students per session, and students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
To register for a class, visit the website listed with the date of the preferred session.
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Use of Force and Response to Resistance
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 (surveymonkey.com/r/BNYLPLJ)
• Instructors: Det. Gracie Gonzales and Sgt. Chris Boor
In today’s world, certainly, an attention-gathering area of coverage of police activities is their use of force. Come and understand some of the U.S. Constitutional issues, statutes, pieces of case law, and the dynamics involved in responding to a subject’s actions concerning a police officer’s engagement in the practice of law enforcement. A one-hour briefing will occur, including a question-and-answer session after which student volunteers can participate in live-action scenarios designed to grossly drive home points spoken about in the briefing.
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Your Patrol Officers and Drugs and Gangs in the Community
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16 (surveymonkey.com/r/HLBCG7Y)
• Instructors: Cmdr. Pete Quinones and Cpl. Tony Baca
The heartbeat of the police department is the officers who receive the initial calls and respond to situations in order that the mission statement of the department is accomplished. Additionally, officers who are able to recognize the beginnings of off-color behavior by the youth they come into contact with and are able to try to intervene at appropriate levels and times are key in preventing violent gang behavior by youth in our community. Come talk to those who have handled these things for years and understand and can talk intelligently about what they have done and what the expectations of the community can be in relation to these topics.
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Self Defense
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 (surveymonkey.com/r/H2Y9PNY)
• Instructors: Sgt. Jeff Letcher and Cpl. Larry Horrell
Everyone has the right to defend themselves. Learn how this is done, and in what situations, in this fun, interactive and comprehensive course that consists of instruction in streetwise risk awareness, risk reduction, crime prevention strategies, frame of mind and defensive concepts, and other options. Also learn how far is too far. Many people have found that signing up with a friend makes this training a bit more comfortable.
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Criminal Investigation Division and Evidence Collection and Handling
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18 (surveymonkey.com/r/BJRH7ZS)
• Instructors: Det. Sgt. David Rodriguez and evidence technicians Myra Barnum and Michelle McConnaughy
Television entertainment depicts violent crimes being solved, charged and adjudicated in an hour. Common sense says this is not the case, but what really happens when a violent crime is investigated and brought through the criminal justice system? The mechanics of interviews, evidence collection, search warrants, charging documents, and interaction with the district attorney and other members of the courtroom work group are explored in this session.
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Building Relationships with the Community
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 (surveymonkey.com/r/HVBW6CQ)
• 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17 (surveymonkey.com/r/H72JK9M)
• Instructors: Cmdr. Lindell Smith and Cpl. Tony Baca
Understanding the concept of what citizens expect of the police officers sworn to protect and serve them is something we always strive to improve. This informative, thought-provoking and idea-generating two hours will focus on the relationship between the police department and the citizens of the community and give us all a chance to speak freely and openly about concerns, questions and ideas.
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Recruiting, Selection, Ethical Decision-Making and Discipline
• 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13 (surveymonkey.com/r/H88ZM5D)
• 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15 (surveymonkey.com/r/H8RQWGP)
• Instructors: Cmdr. Lindell Smith and Chief Donald Raley
Selecting the right person to fill the position of police officer and other positions within the police department is more involved than one might initially think. Additionally, many news stories are put forth and rumors abound concerning employee misconduct and the way it is handled internally after a decision-making process is used by an officer. A transparent talk about these subjects will occur and may help to clear the air surrounding them.
