The Takoma Park Police Department is accepting applications for the 2021 Community Police Academy, which will be held virtually due to the pandemic.
The academy is designed to help residents 16 years of age or older understand how officers go about doing their jobs.
The classes will begin via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 5 and will be a 14-week long program of one class a week from 7–9:30 p.m. The classes cover topics such as patrol, traffic enforcement, use of force, criminal investigations, canine, firearms, crisis negotiation and more, according to the announcement.
Unlike previous years, there will be no hands-on practical classes or field trips in 2021.
The class is limited to 25 people and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
People who live or work in Takoma Park may apply online. Applicants may not have any serious misdemeanor or felony offenses on their record. The deadline submit a completed application is Wednesday, Dec. 23.
Those interested in more information may contact Cathy Plevy, public information officer, at 301.891.7142 or [email protected].
Photo of 2020 class, cut short by the pandemic, from Takoma Park website