Citizen's police academies—offered by the Tomball and Magnolia police departments and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office—grant local residents a rare opportunity to learn the ins and outs of law enforcement agencies and their roles in the community.
"I think it's important for us to get to know our community members and for our community members to get to know us," Tomball Police Chief Robert Hauck said. "It is important for people to understand at its core what the character and core values of public safety entities are."
The courses are open to residents age 18 and older to learn about a variety of police duties, such as felony and routine patrol stops, DWI enforcement, firearms training and crime scene investigation procedures. The free, three-hour academy sessions are offered at the Tomball and Magnolia police departments and typically span eight to nine weeks.
The Tomball Police Department began hosting its eight-week academy Sept. 2. The course runs from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday in the facility's training room, and the academy concludes with a graduation ceremony Oct. 28. The department also offers a 40-hour Youth Citizen's Police Academy for one week every summer to teach students age 13 to 17 leadership skills and offer an inside look at the daily work of police officers.
