Background
The Kyle Police Department offers a Citizen Police Academy, which is a 10-week hands-on long course allowing community members the opportunity to learn about the operations of the police department.
The academy holds classes every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. with one class on a Saturday. Attendees are allowed to ride out with a police officer once they reach a specified level of training.
The alumni association formed in 2012 and gives citizen police academy participants the opportunity to maintain a working relationship with the police department and future classes after graduating.
“It’s rewarding for us to have special bonds in the community,” said Sgt. Caitlin Bone, the department’s professional standards and community engagement officer.
What else?
The alumni association’s former President Cynthia Bentley noted the association strives to be involved and visible in the community through education, especially with children.
“[The police department is] not something that they should be afraid of. We want them to be able to know that if they need something or if they see something’s wrong that their neighbors are doing or that’s going on wrong in their own household, don’t be afraid to dial that 911 or that 311,” Bentley said.
The Kyle Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association also participates in community events, such as Kyle Market Days, and partners with other community organizations, such as Kyle Buda Kiwanis Club Bikes for Books Reading Program. The association also participates in Pillows for Peace.
