The 2017 Bridgeport Citizens Police Academy kicks off Thursday at Bridgeport City Hall and thereafter meets weekly for the next seven weeks. All sessions will take place 7-9 p.m. at Council Chambers with a different focus each week. Residents are welcome to take all eight sessions or select those they have an interest in.

 

“We want to encourage everyone in the city to visit the Citizens Police Academy due to the fact that there are so many different topics of discussion to be covered on a weekly basis,” said Bridgeport Police Officer Christopher “Bart” Sayers, who heads up the academy. “We start March 16 with Project Grace and NIMS and it just continues on with topics that have to do with police duties, but also topics which affect citizenry, too.”

 

The opening March 16 class will include introductions and an overview of the academy, as well as target Emergency Management and National Incident Management System. The remainder of the schedule is March 23: Polygraph Exams/Court & Judicial Proceedings;

March 30: Criminal Investigations/Patrol Operations; April 6: Domestic Violence/CPS/H.O.P.E; April 13: Use of Force/Special Response Team/Firearm Safety; April 20: Accident Investigations/DUI; April 27: School Prevention Resource Officer/Safety in Schools and May 4: K-9 Program/Graduation.

 

“The four weeks after that is the Volunteers in Police Services training, specific for potential VIPS members,” Sayers said.

 

The VIPS Certification Course is open to those 18 years of age or older and who live and/or  work in Bridgeport may go on to complete the VIPS training May 11 through June 15, also at Bridgeport Municipal Building.

 

The opening course will deal with Police Cruiser Operation. May 18 will focus on Police Radio Operations/Fingerprinting and on May 25, participants will take a tour of the Harrison County 911 Center. June 1 will feature First Aid and CPR and June 8 will feature another tour – this time of the North Central West Virginia Jail. Graduation for the VIPS Certification Course is June 15.

 

To register to attend sessions or inquire about sessions and/or inquire about becoming a member of VIPS, contact Bridgeport Police Officer Bart Sayers at 304-842-8260 or csayers@bridgeportwv.com.