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.

Related Stories
‹
'Represent Her With Dignity': Faith Hedgepeth's Family, Investigators Find Closure in Conviction After 14 Years
The Hedgepeth family, prosecutors and investigators addressed media after Friday's conviction and sentencing, ending a 14-year Chapel Hill murder case.
With Defense Bringing No Additional Evidence in Hedgepeth Murder Trial, Here Are Highlights from the Testimony
The trial over Faith Hedgepeth's 2012 murder will pick up on Wednesday with the defense's evidence. Here are the highlights so far.
Carrboro to Explore Possibility of Merging Police Force, Department with Chapel Hill's
Could Carrboro and Chapel Hill share a police department and resources? The local governments are discussing the feasibility of a merger.
Prosecution's Experts Testify on Palm Print Identification, Evidence Handling in Faith Hedgepeth's Murder
Testimony continued Tuesday in the trial of Miguel Salguero-Olivares for the murder of Faith Hedgepeth. Here are the latest highlights.
Police Investigating Car Crash Into Chapel Hill House; No Injuries Reported
Chapel Hill Police seeking a driver as part of an investigation into a car crash into a house in the Northside neighborhood overnight.
18-Year-Old Arrested, Charged After Gunfire on West Franklin Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department has arrested and charged 18-year-old Axel Zizumbo after he reportedly fired a gun in the 100 block of West Franklin Street at around 7 p.m. Friday night. That area includes businesses such as the Yogurt Pump, White Sauce Bar & Grill and the Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar. According to a […]
Police Arrest, Charge Suspect in Armed Robbery at Chapel Hill Gas Station
Chapel Hill Police are responding to and investigating an armed robbery on Wednesday that took place on a high-traffic street corner.
As Durham Trial Begins Over the Murder of Faith Hedgepeth, Here's What to Know
Monday marks the beginning of jury selection in the long-awaited trial for Miguel Salguero-Olivares, the suspect in Faith Hedgepeth’s murder.
UNC Football Players Charged with Carrying Concealed Handgun, Speeding After Traffic Stop
UNC football player Keeyun Chapman was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun and teammate C.J. Sadler was cited for speeding during a traffic stop Tuesday night in Chapel Hill. The police report for Chapman’s arrest notes the traffic stop took place at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. The charge against him […]
Chapel Hill Police Investigating 'About 60' Vehicle Break-Ins Early Saturday Morning
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating a spike in vehicle break-ins around town early Saturday morning. Police reported “about 60” break-ins which occurred between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. along major routes like Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Raleigh Road. Most of the break-ins reportedly happened in hotel and apartment complex parking lots, […]
›