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In July 1994, then Chief
Charles P. Austin, Sr., recognized a need to directly involve the citizens
of Columbia
in a hands on way of gaining a better
understanding of the functions of the police department.
Thus, he directed Sergeant Elbert Jordon to establish a Citizens' Police Academy. Sergeant Jordon set the outline for the
C.P.A. (Citizens
Police Academy)
to include class structure, time frame, and student registration
requirements.
However, before the C.P.A. could actually be started, Sergeant
Jordon was transferred and the job fell to Sergeant Henry Jackson, the
training officer for the department.
Armed with the organizational layout that Sergeant Jordon
provided, Sergeant Jackson was able to hold the first class in January 1995.
This initial class was twelve weeks long and was the only class
this length.
Today classes are held Thursday nights from 1900 hours to 2200 hours for
ten consecutive
Thursday's furnishing thirty-hours of classroom instruction.
The first night is an introduction to the City of Columbia
Police Department along with the C.P.A. and the last night is a graduation
that includes a guest speaker along with the presenting of certificates of
attendance. These are not included
in the 30-hour instruction.
The officer, or supervisor that is actually responsible for
that function within the police department instructs each class . This differs from other citizen seminars or
academies in that the officer meets face to face the students and answers
one on one questions. By using this face-to-face
contact the students receive direct answers to their questions and concerns
while the officers gain an understanding of these concerns while showing
how their unit operates toward a solution.
On reviewing the initial program Chief Austin felt that a
twelve-week class was too lengthy and the class was reduced to its current
ten weeks. Also, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association was formed
from the graduates of this first class and from this point on the presiding
president asks the graduates of each following class to join the C.P.A.A.A. (Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association).
From this initial class the number of classes has grown. Three
were conducted in 1995, two in 1996, two in 1997 and two in 1998. The
average number of students that attend each class is twenty.
Sergeant Henry Jackson
retired from service with the City of Columbia Police Department in July of
1997 and was replaced with Corporal Donald Yacobucci
in January 1998. Don Yacobucci served until December 2001. Sergeant Thomas Dodson served briefly as
coordinator before being promoted in January 2002. Lieutenant David Hellman is the current
coordinator of the program. It is now the responsibility of the Training
Sergeant to oversee the organization and presentation of the C.P.A.
C.P.A. classes are
modified as needed based upon a written critique completed by all students
before their graduation. All critiques ranged from good to excellent that
first class and continue to do so today.
Changes
made to the actual classes include, but are not limited to:
A mock crime scene was set up by
acting out an actual crime in the classroom with students being divided
into small groups and required to do a report as to what had taken place,
to include a description of the “bad guy”. This change in format
dramatically increased student participation in the Crime Scene
Investigation class segment.
In the Use of Force class a demonstration was conducted
utilizing students to illustrate how quickly a situation can change and
become deadly. Also, the class was
shown a shoot/don’t shoot video with a class don't on each scenario
presented and what the appropriate actions of an officer should be in that situation.
The Special Operations class saw the students involved in a mock
hostage situation that concluded with a rescue by the S.W.A.T. Team.
During the Field Interview class a student was asked to conduct
a pat down and weapons search of a suspect for weapons with a class
discussion at the end of the class.
In 2002, Electives were added to enhance the training
experience. Emergency Vehicle
Operation training allows the student to operate a patrol vehicle on a
precision course. The ride-a-long
has been incorporated into the class.
A tour of police facilities and the 911-call center. A firearms safety class is available for
those students interested in obtaining a concealed weapons permit.
This constant review and change process keeps the C.P.A.
progressive, in line with new citizen perspectives and current on recent
developments in policing in the City of Columbia.
The C.P.A. is
a free course designed to familiarize citizens with various aspects of law
enforcement. It also focuses on administrative philosophy, internal
policies and guiding principles of law and ethical conduct governing the
delivery of police services in the community they serve.
Thus, the C.P.A. can be defined as a shortened version of the
basic training presented to new police officers, with the curriculum
retaining all of the core elements essential for citizens to gain a better
understanding of police operations. As a result of participation, citizens
are able to make more informed judgments about the department and its daily
operation, the department gains a better understanding of the views and
concerns of the community, and an enhanced relationship between the
citizens and their police department is achieved.
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