Members of the local community will get a firsthand look into the Ocala Police Department’s day-to-day operations during the upcoming Citizen Police Academy.
The academy will allow citizens to learn about all of the departments within OPD, and participants will also take part in a variety of law enforcement activities.
According to OPD, the following topics will be covered throughout the academy: patrol operations, traffic stops, de-escalation, use of force simulator, criminal investigations, ride-alongs, arrests, search and seizure, crime scenes, and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team.
The academy will be held on Monday nights, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning on October 10 through December 5. Each class will be held in the community room at the police headquarters, which is located at 402 S Pine Avenue in Ocala.
There is no cost to attend the academy, and it is open to Marion County residents who are at least 21 years of age. All participants must pass a background check.
Those who are interested in participating in this year’s Citizen Police Academy have until Friday, September 30 to submit an application.
For more information, or to apply, please contact Community Liaison Tara Woods via phone (352-369-7182) or email (twoods@ocalapd.gov).