The 48th class of the Dallas Police Citizens Academy graduated on Saturday, December 11. The class was made up of about thirty Citizens Police Academy (CPA) students who, for six weeks, took time to learn about important issues such as gangs, narcotics, domestic violence, and more.
According to the DPD Beat, the CPA Class #48 component featured two field trips. One of the field trips was to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters, while the other was to the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. The sessions were conducted using facilities and equipment provided by the Bachman Recreation Center.
The CPA seeks to foster a strong relationship between residents and police officers by maintaining education and empowerment. The program also uses positive interaction and dialogue to humanize police officers to create better understanding between citizens and the police. DPD Beat said many graduates of the program also want to continue serving as volunteers in the department.
The ceremony took place at the Dallas Police Department’s Basic Police Academy, where Police Chief Eddie Garcia and Executive Assistant Chief Albert Martinez welcomed the students and awarded them with their graduation certificates. A celebratory luncheon was held afterward for students and families.