Riverside, Ca-  The Riverside Police Department is accepting applications for its 28th Citizen’s Police Academy, which begins Wednesday, January 4, 2006 and continues through Wednesday, March 15, 2006.

The Academy will be held at the Riverside Police Department, 8181 Lincoln Street, on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to form a stronger partnership between citizens and the Riverside Police Department through education. Participants will learn about patrol procedures, use of force, community oriented policing, gang and narcotic investigations, general investigations, firearms familiarization, S.W.A.T., traffic safety, and much more. This will provide participants with an inside look into the Riverside Police Department.

Applicants must live, work or go to school in the City of Riverside. The class size is limited to 35 people, seats will be given to the first candidates to mail in their applications, and pass an informal background check. All sessions are in a classroom setting and do not require any physical training. Applications must be submitted by December 9, 2005 for those applicants to be considered in the 28th Citizen’s Police Academy.

Applications are accepted and available on a continual basis at the Orange Street station, at all community police centers and on the RPD Website  Join Citizen’s Academy. For more information, you can contact Cherie Curzon at (951) 320-8098 or by e-mail ccurzon@riversideca.gov