Police Academy Still Has Openings Available

A few openings remain for , a 12-week program set to launch Aug. 25.

Kent Police Lt. Paul Canfield, who's running the academy, said they still have room for eight more people to sign up.

"That would put us above 20," Canfield said.

If you're interested in joining the citizen's police academy, email Canfield at canfield@kent-ohio.org or call him during regular business hours weekdays at 330-676-7505.

The academy is free for participants, as funding comes courtesy of a U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance grant the department received last year. The program is designed to foster better community relations through education.

Applicants must be at least 18 and a Kent-area resident without any felony convictions, any misdemeanor convictions within the past two years or any pending misdemeanor charges. Those applying don't necessarily have to be supporters of the .

“(Participants) get an insight into how we do business, how the police department fits into their community and what our actual role is,” Canfield said in a previous interview. “We feel that the police department and police work in general are sometimes misunderstood, and we would like to better educate key members of the public."

Classes will be held at 6 p.m. Thursdays starting Aug. 25 at the police department. There will be at least one “field trip” to the department’s firing range, and each participant will have the opportunity to do a “ride-along” with an officer.

The academy will feature a variety of instructors, all of whom are Kent police officers. Topics to be covered during the 12-week program will include criminal law, investigations, K9 operations, traffic and related offenses, specialties within law enforcement (such as task forces), police use of force, community policing and crime prevention.