The San Marcos Police Department will begin its 31st Citizen Police Academy course Jan. 31.

Thirty-six people have signed up take part in the free 13-week program aimed at creating a closer relationship between police officers and the citizens they serve.

Crime Prevention Community Service Officer Danny E. Arredondo said there are several reasons why someone may want to take the course. Residents learn more about how law enforcement operates, and the class helps them take ownership of their community, Arredondo said.

"Some people that attend the class just work in the City of San Marcos, some are long-time residents and some are temporary residents, like students," Arredondo said.

The course can also be a pathway to becoming a police officer, he said.

"In the last seven years we have had more than 16, that I can recall, Texas State University criminal justice students that have gone through the course that have become peace officers around the state," Arredondo said.

Officer Jesse Saavedra said the course has other benefits for those who do not want to become police officer.

"Some of them, I guess, become more aware of the problems that we face, so they tend to be more sympathetic, maybe a little more helpful," Saavedra said. "A lot of times they'll see where we fall short in manpower or equipment, those sorts of things, so a lot of times they will come back and volunteer their time."

The course also helps police officers gain some insight into their community, Saavedra said. Officers can interact with a diverse group of people and learn about what challenges those groups are facing, he said.

San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero completed the course in December. He said some of the activities he enjoyed most were the simulated pursuit and using the Taser. The most rewarding aspect was getting to know what the officers do, he said.

"Getting to know the men and women that serve and learning more about what their days are really like," Guerrero said. "They put [in] a lot of tremendous work. [There is] just a lot of dedication that's involved, and they are out there to do what's best for the community."

The three-hour classes are held weekly, once in the spring and once in the fall. The next course begins in August; applications are available at the police department or at the city's website.

Participants are encouraged to be 17 years or older, but there is no age restriction. Different levels of fitness are accepted, and a background check is required to take the course.

Place 5 City Councilman Ryan Thomason has not taken the course, but said the classes are a win-win for everybody.

"I think it will be great. The more people that take it, the better understanding they will have about what officers do and the better prepared they will be should they see anything," he said. "I think if 100 percent of the community went through this, then you got a group of people that care about safety and the well-being of those around them."