It is important for a Police Department to have interaction and cooperation with the general public. One way to accomplish this goal is through an exchange of ideas and education.
The Decatur Police Department’s Police Volunteer Academy program is an excellent means to achieve this end. The Police Volunteer Academy is designed to acquaint the public with operations of the police department. It is our intention that at the completion of the program, participants will have a better understanding of the police officer’s role in the criminal justice system and the community, as well as an appreciation of the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s society.
The course is structured to provide as much information as possible in enjoyable and interesting ways. There is no fee for the classes. We only require that the participants come each week prepared to be involved in discussions and demonstrations.
The Police Volunteer Academy will include information on such topics as Law, Crime Prevention, Community Policing, Arrest Procedures, Investigations, and many other topics. In addition to tours of the police building and patrol annex, Academy students will will get a closer view of K-9 officer training exercises, participate in an interactive firearms training simulation, and tour the Morgan County 911 dispatch facility where they will witness the processing of raw emergency information. Upon completion of the Academy, program members may elect to participate in multiple ride-a-longs. Each class is improvement for us, as we also learn from the participants.
Alumni of the Police Volunteer Academy will be able to volunteer to assist at community events, such as: registration days for Yellow Dot and Project Lifesaver, Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic, the Spirit of America Festival, and National Night Out. Each graduate of the Police Volunteer Academy will receive an official badge, patches, and a uniform to wear at sponsored events.
We invite you to be a part of the cooperative effort between the police department and the community. Feel free to copy and share the Police Volunteer Academy Application with anyone else that might be interested in the program. Please return your application as quickly as possible to reserve your space in the next scheduled class. Applicants are not required to be residents of Decatur. All applicants are subject to a background check.
If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Heather Atchley or call (256) 341-4600.
We are looking forward to hearing from you,
Todd Pinion
Chief of Police
