7/1/11 – The Beaver Dam Citizens Police Academy this week wrapped up its 10-week course with a graduation banquet. Over 100 city residents, business leaders and alderpersons have gone through the program in the eight years the class has been held. Sessions focused on topics like firearms training, self defense, OWI procedures and drug investigations and while there was some time spent in the classroom, much of the focus was on table-top exercises, crime simulations and real world application. Patrick Beilfuss says his fellow cadets have a relationship with officers now that is almost like family and he looks forward to joining the Academy’s Alumni Association to continue what he started.
Meanwhile, Beaver Dam Police Chief Ron Smith says he wanted to personally attend all ten session of this year’s Citizens Police Academy because of the great things he’s heard about the class. He says he’s never heard of cadets starting their own Alumni Association and he found that fascinating. Smith commends his officers for putting on a class that has created such an interest in the community that cadets stay with the program and volunteer to assist in police activities years after their graduation. And the chief says he’ll do everything in his power to make sure the Citizens Police Academy is available to the public again next year.
