The Kerrville Police Department honored the 9th Citizen Police Academy graduating class with a special ceremony on Tuesday, October 18th at 6 p.m. at Rails - A Café at the Depot restaurant. The ceremony honored 18 community members who participated in the program.
The Citizen Police Academy is designed to give the public a working knowledge of the Kerrville Police Department through comprehensive classroom instruction, demonstration, tours, and hands-on activities.
Program Coordinators, Officer Paul Gonzales and Sgt. Mary Krebs, Chief John M. Young Jr., Captain Jeffrey Wendling, Lieutenants Curtis Thomason and Phil Engstrom congratulated the graduates, their friends and family. Each graduate received a certificate of completion along with a shirt.
"Congratulations, I commend each of you for taking the time away from your schedules and families to participate in the Citizen Police Academy and for becoming a vital part of the police department!" said Police Chief John M. Young Jr., as he addressed the graduating class.
"We have spent the last twelve weeks seeing and listening to representatives of this city’s finest. It has been truly an incredible experience. I had visions of shoot-outs, car chases, and things like I see on “COPS”. Well, it was not exactly like that, but between what we saw in class and what I experienced in the patrol car on my ride-out, I now have a much better appreciation for what these Police Officers go through. Thank you Chief Young, and your fine, dedicated, and caring police department. I can rest easier knowing your department’s vision to ensure a safe and secure community for all of our citizens, is working. Also, I would like to thank the Kerrville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association for all that they did for Class # 9 and what they do for the City of Kerrville” said Citizen Academy graduate and Class President .
The next Citizen Police Academy starts February 2012, but space is limited and fills up quickly. Find out more about the academy and how to sign up at: www.kerrvilletx.gov/police