The Bridgeport Police Department will be having a 12 week Citizens Police Academy starting April 19 at 7 to 9 pm and will be every Thursday until the 5th of July. Criminal investigation, Drug Interdiction, Police cruiser operation, First Aid/CPR and Fingerprinting are just some of the topics that will be covered. There will be tours of the North Central Regional Jail and the Harrison County Emergency Services Center. Upon graduation from the Citizens Police Academy, persons will have the opportunity to join the V.I.P.S. (Volunteer In Police Service) where they will be able to use what they learned in the Academy on patrols in the community, provide traffic control for major events and various other tasks to assist the Bridgeport Police Department. Applicants must be a US citizen, live in the Bridgeport area, 18 years old, pass a criminal back ground check and have a valid WV drivers license.