The Chapel Hill Police Department will host its Community Police Academy beginning Tuesday April 5 and now is your chance to apply.

The Community Police Academy is a chance to get an “inside look” at the workings of the police department said Chapel Hill Police Lieutenant Josh Mecimore.

“It’s a good opportunity to spend a few hours on two different days learning about the police department, meeting a lot of our police officers, finding out how we train, who we are, why we do the things we do,” said Mecimore.

Participants will have the chance to do exercises that simulate real police scenarios, learn about arrest procedures and investigative policing over a two day period.

“On the Saturday you’ll get to meet out K-9 units and then learn a lot of stuff about fair and impartial policing,” said Mecimore.

Mecimore said the academy is a great opportunity to have a positive interaction with the police.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for people to learn about us and not have it be like that five minute interaction you might have when you get stopped for a speeding ticket or something,” said Mecimore.

Mecimore said they usually have about 30 participants and afterwards those participants often form a closer bond with the police department.

“We’ve had a lot of fun, I think most of them have enjoyed it. I’ve stayed in contact with quite a few, some of them regularly call to talk about things or to find out what’s going on around the community,” said Mecimore, “So it has been good for us and I hope it’s been good for the people that went through it.”

Anyone over to age of 16 is invited to participate. The application is open until Monday March 14.

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