Citizen’s Police Academy teaches Team Dover skills, glimpse of police life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In effort to train local community members and expand their knowledge on police duties and procedures, the Dover Police Department will host Citizen's Police Academy training beginning March 5 at 6 p.m., in their public assembly room.

Members of Dover Air Force Base are invited to attend the free training classes, and learn about patrol procedures, high-risk traffic stops, handcuffing techniques, Radar and Lidar, criminal unit operations, community policing, motorcycle unit operations and K-9.

"This training helps Airmen become better citizens by learning first hand how the department works," said Curtis Tilghman, 512th Mortuary Affairs Squadron.

Mr. Tilghman attended the class twice, once in 2005 and again in 2007, and recalled the experience of riding along with a Dover PD officer on his shift.

"You are right there when they answer the call," he said, describing the mixed excitement and awkwardness of being out of his element and out on a patrol. "You don't know what's going to happen [but] you really appreciate what they do. It's not easy!"

Mr. Tilghman believes this course can bring Airmen up to speed on what the police department does for this community, he said. This information can be passed on to other Airmen, who may not have been able to attend the course.

In one word, this training is about 'community,' said Mr. Tilghman.

"[Whether or not] you're going to make Dover your home long term, the information and experience will last you a life time," he said, describing the vast amounts of knowledge he gained from the class.

Another aspect of the training is learning self defense skills.

After attending the class more than a year ago, Joan Cote, the United Service Organization Delaware director, feels comfortable putting her training to actual use, she said.

Not only does she now know several ways to protect herself, "I know that I never want to get hit with a Tazer Gun after seeing several of the officers volunteer to get zapped," said Ms. Cote, who still has her Citizen's Police Academy class photo on her office wall.

Ms. Cote is a strong advocate of as many Team Dover members attending the training as possible, and associated the training to the Dover AFB benchmarked Honorary Commander's Program - a program designed to foster interaction between base leadership, local businesses and community leaders.

"I think any organization or citizen can learn a great deal about other people and the responsibilities they have in their career field," Ms. Cote said. "I think mutual respect goes a long way because most people don't have the big picture on what happens in a police department."

The class, scheduled to begin March 5, will be held once a week for 12 consecutive weeks, said Sgt. William Kent, Dover PD. Each session lasts about three hours and is poised to acquaint civilians with their police force and help them learn to help themselves in an emergency, until police assistance arrives.

"We want to extend this invitation to military members and their dependents," said Cpl. Kelli Burns, Dover PD's accreditation manager.

Corporal Burns recommended members navigate to www.doverpolice.org and get started on a course application right away as the course can fill up quickly. Additionally, she encouraged Team Dover members to call Sergeant Kent at (302) 736-7116 for any related questions.