The Washington Township Police Department graduated 13 citizens from the second annual Washington Township Police Department Citizens Academy.
Over the last five weeks, citizens had the opportunity to learn how the Washington Township Police Department and Logan County judicial system operates.
Attendees heard from Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin Braig, Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart, Adult Parole Authority Probation Officers Angela and Eric Mattox along with officers from the police department.
Citizens toured the Logan County Jail, Logan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center, and Indian Joint Fire District.
Each citizen became CPR and AED certified, completed death investigations, and will participate in a ride along with the police department among other topics.
The objective of the Citizens Academy is for the public to have a better understanding of what officers do at the Washington Township Police Department and why they do it.
The Citizens Academy allows attendees to ask questions they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to ask and the speakers were very open and communicated well their position on their role in the criminal justice system.
“Each year my personal goal for the Citizens Academy is to educate the attendees on career opportunities in law enforcement in Logan County. One attendee from last year’s class is currently employed as a dispatcher for the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and one attendee currently has interest in a position with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. With numbers in law enforcement on a gradual decline, I feel it is important to boost and promote our incredible area law enforcement agencies and help fill empty positions with quality candidates. I encourage everyone to attend a Citizen’s Academy. Rather it is ours, the Bellefontaine Police Department, or the Logan County Sheriff’s Offices.” said Chief Michael Thompson.
