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LPD hosts “largest class” for 2018 Citizens Police Academy

22 of 28 enrollees participated in Week 1 class

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (January 17, 2018) – “This is one of the largest, if not the largest, class we have ever had,” said Lt. Scott Bailey in a January 12 email. “Today we have 27 people signed up for the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy.” By class time, the final enrollment count was 28. Last year, the Lansing Police Department had to cancel the academy due to low enrollment.

As the organizer of the course, Bailey had hoped for some diversity in attendees—not just ethnic diversity, but also age and gender. The 22 enrollees who made it to the first class included 15 Whites, 6 Blacks, and 1 Hispanic. The gender ratio was 16 females to 6 males.

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Alline Batts (pictured here with her father Eugene) is hoping the Citizens Police Academy will confirm the career decision she’s already made. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

Citizens

At 17, Alline Batts may be the youngest member of the class. Her career plans include getting a degree in Criminal Justice and then becoming a detective. She believes the Citizens Police Academy will confirm her career choice.

Other class members have less specific hopes for the academy. “I just wanted to get to know more about the community,” said Christine Billstrand, a lifelong Lansing resident. And Marilyn Freeman came looking for “just general knowledge.” Doug Cable had participated in a Local History class offered by Jeff White last year, and he thought the Citizens Police Academy might be a similar opportunity to meet new people and learn new things.

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Chief Murrin addresses the class, which includes (from left) Marilyn Freeman, Christine Billstrand, and Doug Cable. Sgt. Gabe Barajas stands in the background behind the Chief. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

Police

The Week 1 class included introductions and presentations by Chief of Police Dennis Murrin; Deputy Chief Pete Grutzius; Lt. Al Phillips, Police Recruiter; and Lt. Bailey and Sgt. Gabe Barajas from Support Services.

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Their presentations used PowerPoint slides and videos to cover such topics as:

  • Goals and objectives for the course
  • Overview of the Lansing Police Department
  • Recruitment of new officers
  • The application and selection process
  • Police Academy, including a review of the Field Training Officer program
  • Community policing and the Neighborhood Watch program

Class 1 concluded with a tour of the Lansing Police Department.

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Lt. Bailey’s guided tour included a visit to the Support Services office. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
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Members of the class got to see the inside of the cells at the Lansing Police Department. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
The Department is hoping that the nine-week academy will provide an understanding of how the Lansing Police Department is structured, how the different divisions work together, and the role that citizens and police both play in building community.

Classes meet at the Lansing Police Department, 2710 170th Street in Lansing. Contact Lt. Scott Bailey for more information or to be notified about the next Citizens Police Academy:

 

Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.