Applicants Sought for Newport Beach Citizens' Police Academy

The Newport Beach Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizens' Police Academy to help residents understand the inner-workings of law enforcement.

The free 12-week course runs between Jan. 24 and April 11 and was created to increase understanding of Newport Beach Police Department operations. Students will learn about traffic stops, patrol ride-alongs, firearms, SWAT and K-9 narcotics. Police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe says graduates of the Citizens' Police Academy are eligible to apply to become part of the Newport Beach Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing Program.

"In 2012 NBPD volunteers worked over 5,000 hours serving their community. The have become an invaluable asset to both the department and community," Lowe told Patch. "Our goal is to increase understanding between the community and Police Department and to enhance the strong relationship which already exists."

Classes meet Thursdays, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Newport Beach Police Department, 870 Santa Barbara Drive, Newport Beach. Students must be at least 21, live or work in Newport Beach and have no felony convictions, outstanding warrants or pending criminal cases.

Applications are available in the Newport Beach Police Department lobby, from the Police Department website at www.nbpd.org or can be mailed upon request.

For more information call Kathy Lowe in the Community Relations office at 949-644-3662.