Plymouth Residents Graduate From Citizen Police Academy

Last month 27 residents graduated from Plymouth’s Citizen Public Safety Academy.

Initially developed by Police Chief Mike Goldstein 13 years ago, this was the 12th class to go through the 12-week, 36-hour program, which is open to all Plymouth residents over 18. The course is designed to expand public knowledge of the police and fire departments, create partners within the community, and highlight volunteer communities.

“This program debunks a lot of myths about policing,” said Community Relations Officer Jim Long. “We hope that participants can take the information they learn and share it with friends and family because everyone benefits from such exposure.”

Each week of the course featured a different aspect of the police department through lectures and demonstrations, with one week dedicated to fire department operations. Last year’s curriculum included the history and evolution of policing in Europe in the United States, patrol operations, fire department services, investigations, emergency communications, police tactics, legal issues, narcotics, the Hennepin County Crime Lab, the DWI process, public safety education and crime prevention efforts, and decision shooting.

The 2011 class ranged in age from 18 to 78, and included participants from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Two participants, Allan and Mary Lou Fox, have lived in Plymouth for 45 years and been neighborhood Crime Watch captains for 20. Each found different aspects of the course to be useful and enlightening.

“I have such a better respect for our police officers after taking the course,” said Mary Lou Fox. I’m amazed by how much they do. They put their lives in danger every time they get in that squad car.”

Allan Fox added that the course gave them a greater sense of assurance. When they have to call the police, they know exactly what to expect from the responding officers, he said.

“Most people don’t realize how well our city takes care of us,” Allan Fox said. “Experiencing the shoot/don’t shoot scenarios was really eye-opening. I think we take for granted how difficult it is trying to anticipate what a person is thinking and what their next moves will be.”

Another participant, writer Phil Rustad, signed-up for the course to better understand “the nuts and bolts” of how the local police system works as he writes his third mystery novel, which will feature a retired cop as the main character. Rustad said he better appreciates how officers are involved with many different aspects of community life.

“There’s a lot more depth to the department than I would have expected,” Rustad said. “For people who are naturally more aware or interested in what’s going on in their community, this is the class for them. Everything [the police department] does goes towards making the city a better, safer place to live. It was a great experience.”

While Long hopes all participants find the course interesting, he said the department recognizes the opportunities for the improvement of its programs through the course discussions.

“We hope participants learn more about police and fire services, but this program is also a valuable opportunity for us to improve,” Long said. “We try to create an environment that is open to suggestions – we’re not the only ones with creative ideas for crime fighting and prevention tactics.”

(Editor's Note: The preceding was a press release from the city of Plymouth.)