CHAPEL HILL- The Chapel Hill Police Department will meet in April to host its third annualCitizen’s Police Academy.

Public Information Sergeant for the Chapel Hill Police Josh Mecimore comments on what participants gain from the academy.

“The purpose of it is to give citizens in the community an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a police officer,” says Mecimore. “Citizens will see what a day in the life of a Chapel Hill police officer is.”

The academy is a two-day event held over three days with two week night sessions and one Sunday session. Applicants will be broken up into two groups and each group will attend one week day session either on Wednesday, April 24 or Thursday, April 25. Attendees will meet from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, April 28 both groups will attend from 1:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

Mecimore says the short schedule will be action-packed, but beneficial.

“We are trying to give a full picture of the police department in just those two days rather than stretching it out over a long period,” says Mecimore. “We’re hoping that by shortening it and by only giving vital content we will get more people involved and people can get more out of it.”

The academy will include interactive sessions involving the simulation of various scenarios, a walk through of the arrest process, several discussions on use of force, canine demonstrations, social and mental health issues, equipment display, internal affairs, and emergency response capabilities.

Participants have the chance to give feedback on the academy.

“We’re going to give people cards at the beginning and then they can write down thoughts that they have,” says Mecimore. “We will deal with a question and answer/commenting at the end. Then on Sunday we will have a graduation ceremony and then an opportunity for people to hang out and ask questions.”

The first two days will be held at the CHPD on Martin Luther King Blvd. and on Sunday will be at the CHPD Public Works Facility off of Millhouse Road.