By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma Police Department is preparing to open its doors to the public in order to give them an idea of what it takes to protect and serve.

The Selma Police Department is now accepting applications for the Citizens Police Academy, which will run from Sept. 26 to Nov. 7 in the police department’s In-Service Training room with classes being held every Monday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Selma Chief of Police William Riley said it’s an opportunity for the community to see what the police do

“This is an opportunity to have a group of citizens come in, let us teach them what is we do on a day-to-day basis,” Riley said. “In this academy they’ll see what we do when we come in contact with a crime scene, we’ll talk about our field training program and internal affairs among others to give them an overview of what we do.”

In addition to the week of classroom training, participants will be able to ride along with an officer while on patrol.

“We do the ride-along program, which is an eye-opening experience,” Riley said.  “We think it’s important for the public to get a good understanding of what we encounter.”

Riley said the idea came about from a Citizens Police Academy that was run by his department in Newport News, Va.

“The department I came from had a Citizens Police Department,” Riley said. “It was very effective because it allowed citizens to get an idea of what we do. This is also a part of what we call community policing. It brings the community and the police together.”

Anyone interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy must turn in a completed application by Monday, Sept. 12. Applications must be obtained from the Selma Police Department, or contacting Lt. Tommy Weber at 334-874-5261.