NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
14 November 2003

EIGHTH ANNUAL CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY CLASS GRADUATES

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed has lauded the efforts and commitment of fourteen city residents who are graduating this week from the city’s Tenth Annual Citizens Police Academy. The unique program was created by the Mayor in the early 1990’s and was the first of its kind in the midstate when initially established. Many other midstate communities now host similar programs.

Reed said the Citizens Police Academy is a unique citizens’ public education effort that provides a complete orientation about the city’s law enforcement operations and indepth instruction on new ways to detect, prevent and report criminal activities, all of which help to improve community public safety.

The yearly Academy is free and open to the public, and this year involved nine weekly 2.5 hour long classes, covering such topics as forensics and criminal investigation, vice, k-9’s, arson investigation and much more. Participating students take tours and field trips, go on patrols with officers and learn how to use certain types of law enforcement equipment and tools. The program is entirely voluntary, and since inception over 150 residents have graduated from the program.

Recognized by the Mayor for their completion of the intriguing course are Loretta Barbee-Dare, Elaine Burns, Janet Carson, Lois Davis, James Dunn, Leslie Garner, David Gloss, Nancy Gloss, Lang Lewis, Jr., John Quimby, Cynthia Marie Stills, John Sweigard and Sandra Waters-Folks.

The course was coordinated by city police Community Relations Officer Oscar Douglas, Jr., and training was provided by various members of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and other law enforcement professionals.

Reed said many previous graduates of the Academy have gone on to become actively involved with or started neighborhood crime watch efforts in their own neighborhoods. Funding for the program was provided by the city and by a program grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

The Mayor noted that the inaugural class of the Business Police Academy, the newly-created and second law enforcement-oriented training program offered by the city, is also now underway. The free, nine week course likewise meets weekly and is open to any city-based business owner or their employees. The program is geared to preventing and recognizing those types of crimes which more specifically are of concern to business owners. Computer crime, identity theft, fraud and other types of retail-type crimes are all explored as part of the program.

“We salute the citizens who have sacrificed their time to help better the community in which they live,” said Mayor Reed. “Their efforts should provide inspiration for all citizens to become actively involved in their neighborhoods.”

Citizens wishing to register for the next scheduled Citizens Police Academy, slated for sometime next Spring, should contact the city’s Community Policing Office at 123 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, or by contacting 255.3018. A public announcement will be issued when the next class is scheduled to begin.

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