Following a nine-week, intensive course of academic police work, the Los Alamitos City Police Department has graduated its first-ever class from the newly formed Citizens Academy.
The program, initiated under Police Chief Michael Claborn, is designed to give ordinary citizens an inside look at police work. It allows them to work on the inside, so to speak, to understand what the men and women of law enforcement do every day to keep the community safe.
Los Al Police Department spokesman Robert Acosta said the curriculum brought the first class of ordinary citizens into the working lives of police personnel, the District Attorney’s office, and other key stakeholders in the public safety community.
The nine-week training course covered a wide range of topics, he said, including chain of command, criminal investigations, which included a presentation from the coroner’s office and the district attorney’s office, and forensics.
Other topics included crime prevention, DIY instigations, traffic enforcement, parking enforcement, patrol operations, traffic stops, use of force policy, canine deployment, swat air operations and emergency response, said Acosta.
Among the most memorable for the participants, he said, was the “shoot” or “don’t shoot” shooting simulator training, where citizens came under live wire simulations of meeting dangerous situations, where a moment of hesitation could cost officers their lives.
The first-ever graduating class was called before the Los Alamitos City Council during their meeting in May to receive their Citizens Academy certificates.
“It’s been my privilege to stand before you tonight to share the success of the Police Department’s Citizens Academy,” Los Alamitos Police Captain Kain Gallaugher told the Council and the graduates.
“We will be recognizing an outstanding group of individuals here tonight who completed this Academy,” he said.
“The Citizens Academy is not just an educational initiative,” said Gallaugher, “it is a cornerstone of our mission to build a stronger lasting relationship between law enforcement and the community that we serve.”
“Over the past nine weeks, they have gained first-hand knowledge of the challenges and responsibilities of policing through classroom instruction, ride-alongs, and hands-on training,” he said.
“These citizens have developed a deeper understanding of what it takes to ensure public safety here in Los Alamitos,” he added.
The program is about more than just learning, said Gallagher, noting that “it’s about strengthening the partnership between our Police Department and the city’s residents.”
“Engaging with our officers, asking tough questions and witnessing our operations firsthand and up close, these graduates have become ambassadors of public safety,” said Gallagher, suggesting they are “building the gap between law enforcement and the community in a meaningful way.”
“Dedication to this program demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, accuracy, and collaboration,” he said, saying the Police Academy grades will leave this Academy equipped with knowledge that will help“I extend my sincere congratulations to our graduates,” said Gallaugher, “for their participation reflects the spirit of community partnership, it is vital to effective policing.”
Christina Romero, a nurse practitioner who lives in Los Al and works in downtown L.A., said she was extremely happy she decided to enroll in the class.
I think it dispelled some myths that I may have had about police work,” said Romero during an interview following one of the training sessions two months ago.
“I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the dedication and the complexity of the issues that are involved with police work and maintaining public safety,” said Romero.
At the Council meeting, Romero again spoke out, this time, however, speaking about her tense ride along with city police and how it made her understand the daily dangers involved in their work.
“The officer proceeds to initiate a traffic stop. The lights go on as ne he sends word on the radio that he’s stopping the car,” said Romero to the Council.
“The officer told me to stay in the car. If needed,” he said, “hide behind the passenger door for protection,” says Romero. “Wait, what?” she thinks, “I’m just here to observe.”
“OK,” she responds as the officer opens the door quickly with the hand on the hilt of his side arm (weapon), and I’m feeling scared,” says Romero, “and I’m also like, why is he being so aggressive just for a simple traffic stop,” she wondered.
Others remarked about the positive effort of the police department to demonstrate how they operate.
“It is just unreal for a police department to go through this effort to make sure the community understands the day-to-day events. It’s eye-opening,” said Michelle Schuetz, a staffer for Assembly member Tri Ta, who also graduated as part of the first class.
The Police Department’s Citizens Academy program stands as a beacon of community engagement and public safety, said Los Al Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink.“I was able to attend some of the trainings,” she said, “and they just really got into it.”
“It was really good and I hope that it continues,” she said.
“The Citizens Academy serves as a vital bridge in providing citizens with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the operations, challenges, and responsibilities of our local police department,” Romero told the Council.“The benefits of this program,” she said, “extend way beyond the classroom.”