The City of SeaTac joins with the City of Burien each year to invite community members to ‘Community Police Academy,’ a twelve week course designed to increase the understanding between citizens and their police departments through education.
The classes are held in the evenings, and there are presentations by many of the Sheriff’s Office Units with opportunities for hands on experiences, plus a field trip to the King County Communications Center (911 call center).
This is a unique experience, and it’s offered at no cost to anyone who lives or works in the Cities of SeaTac or Burien. The Fall 2017 session will begin on Thursday, September 14, 2017.
Graduates of the Community Police Academy come away with a better understanding of the criminal justice system and an appreciation for the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s society. This understanding will help community members better assist officers and increase the safety in their neighborhoods and community.
If you are interested in attending, please complete an application (PDF file).
If you have questions regarding the Community Police Academy, please e-mail: Community Service Officer (CSO) Sana Wight at susana.wight@kingcounty.gov (for the City of SeaTac) or CSO Carlos Marquez-Romero at carlos.marquez-romero@
I had the pleasure of taking the course a few years ago. It was truly fascinating. This course will give you a better understanding of what our officers must face on a daily basis. We had a lady in our course who was more than 70 years old and she loved firing the weapons. If you are making excuses as to why you would not be good in this course, throw them out and show up. Also, anybody running for any office in Burien should take this course.
Greg,
I agree with you completely. I took the course as well and it should be attended by all council candidates and members before they start the cheap shots about law and order, our own gang unit, our own police department, etc. The issues aren’t that simple. The course explains the professional law enforcement approach used by King County (Burien PD) and state trained law enforcement personnel that encourages deescalation over confrontation as well as some simulation exercises that get the heart rate up.
I do question why they require a background check, though. That seems to eliminate some who could benefit by a better understanding of the P D.
Lee, perhaps the background check is to protect the police officers from those who might seek revenge. Sad to say it’s a ever present worry for law enforcement.
It is very understandable that they do a background check. Have done this class – in fact I am on the picture heading this article. They provide insight in their tactics, you get to see a lot of their operational environmental, allow you to shoot guns etc. You don’t to provide this info to people you’re dealing on the other side of the law.
The bottom line is it creates great respect for the people in law enforcement that put their lives on the line to keep you safe.