Tuesday, Mar. 16, 2010

BSPD celebrates fifth citizen police academy graduation

Journal Staff

Eighteen Blue Springs residents recently graduated from the Blue Springs Police Department Citizen Police Academy, according to the BSPD.

This is the fifth graduation class from the academy. The members of the class – self named the “Fifth Element” – completed their nine week course with a graduation ceremony held March 2. Mayor Carson Ross, a graduate of the citizens academy, was the featured speaker.

The academy, which began Jan. 5, was an opportunity for residents of Blue Springs to learn first hand the realities of police work and get to know BSPD personnel one-on-one. Most classes were conducted on Tuesday nights for nine weeks in the classroom of the Community and Youth Outreach Unit, 205 S.W. 11th St. next door to the police station. Classes included training on the history of law enforcement, crime scene investigation, bike patrol, K-9 and STAT (also known as SWAT) operations, constitutional and courtroom issues.

The academy is a hands-on citizen academy, where participants are involved in various simulated situations including processing crime scenes, conducting car stops, and performing building searches.

Participants also had the opportunity to be involved in firearms training at the firing range and the Fire Arms Training System at the Western Missouri Regional Police Academy. FATS is simulated situational that is an excellent learning opportunity on just how quickly situations change and the instantaneous decisions that have to be made on whether or not to shoot.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to complete a patrol ride along session with a Blue Springs uniformed patrol officer on the streets of Blue Springs.

Academy training is conducted by experienced members of the police department with occasional guest speakers. Participants are actively involved in simulated scenarios in order to get a feel for what it may really be like to confront a suspect who is committing a crime.

During the graduation ceremony, participants were invited to give examples of their experience during the course. Everyone who spoke demonstrated a clear connection with the police department as a whole and most highlighted their ride along experience.

All stated their observation of the officers as a whole was that the Blue Springs Police Department has a very talented, dedicated and caring group of police officers that they were proud of, and the graduates had gained a new understanding of their role and responsibility as a citizen of Blue Springs. “Academy class members take their own personal time to give us input regarding our community that helps us deliver better service,” said BSPD Chief Wayne McCoy. “Anytime the partnership between officers and community is enhanced, safety and quality of life improve.”

For more information about the citizen police academy, contact Sgt. Allen Kintz, at 816-228-0178 or send an e-mail directly to akintz@bluespringsgov.com. A background check is completed prior to enrollment in the program to ensure the safety of participants.