UC Merced’s Citizen Police Academy Celebrates 11th Class
May 7, 2013
A group of UC Merced students and staff, along with Merced-area community members recently celebrated completion of the Department of Public Safety’s Spring 2013 Citizen Police Academy. Launched in 2008, the program offers participants a close-up look at various aspects of law enforcement. Eleven people participated in the spring class.
During the 10-week program, participants rode along with on-duty officers and learned about such topics as community policing, DUI investigation, domestic violence, sexual assault, use of force and the criminal justice system. At the May 3 graduation ceremony, academy participants – accompanied by friends and family -- each received a certificate and took a picture with the academy’s coordinator Officer Daryl Davis and Sgt. George Gongora, who served as the program’s first coordinator until Davis took on the role in 2011.
Davis and Gongora said a few participants from previous citizen academy classes have gone on to pursue careers in law enforcement and added that the academy is one way the campus gives back to the community – by establishing and strengthening ties and connections.
The department plans to offer a Citizen Academy program during summer session and will include two additional topics of interest to staff -- event planning and crowd control. Class dates and times are yet to be determined.
To apply for the Citizens Police Academy or for more information, visit the program’s webpage or contact Davis at ddavis7@ucmerced.edu or call extension 2677.
