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Steamboat launches Citizens’ Police Academy

Matt Stensland







— Residents have the opportunity to go back to school and learn about the complexities of police work in Steamboat Springs.

Applications are being accepted until March 14 for the inaugural Citizens’ Police Academy at the Steamboat Springs Police Department.



The goal of the academy is to enhance the community’s knowledge about local law enforcement, their duties and responsibilities as well as its public safety programs and services.

Creating the Citizens’ Police Academy was a goal Chief Cory Christensen had when he was hired in November 2015.



Christensen challenged his officers to come up with ways to reach out to the community, and Officer Jeff Malchow suggested creating the academy. Several other officers have helped.

“This is designed from the bottom up,” Christensen said.

The free, 10-week academy will go from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday from April 26 to June 28.

Officers looked at academies in other communities to come up with the curriculum.

Topics will include self-defense, drug enforcement, domestic violence, firearms, ethics, arrest control and forensics.

The police department will choose about 12 people for the first academy.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a high school reading and writing level and be able to sit for up to three hours in a classroom environment. A background check is required.

Applications and more information about the academy can be found at steamboatsprings.net/policeacademy.

Chistensen hopes to grow the academy to twice a year.

“I’m pretty confident this is going to be something that we’re going to be happy with,” Christensen said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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