ACADEMY OFFERS CITIZENS A PEEK INSIDE THE
BROOMFIELD POLICE OPERATIONS By Kristen Beckman
A group of Broomfield residents will spend several weeks over the summer learning the ins and outs of the Broomfield Police Department during its BPD - Inside Citizens’ Academy. The 15-week academy began in March when about three dozen Broomfield citizens were informally sworn in, received a syllabus and workbook, and began learning the history and basic structure of the department starting with a tour of headquarters. The Academy includes three fiveweek blocks with breaks in between each block and culminates in a graduation ceremony in September.
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Our Broomfield™ Magazine | May 2022
The first block covers topics such as patrol, dispatch, animal services, code compliance, K-9, and traffic. The second block includes classes covering crisis negotiations, crime scene investigations, body-worn cameras, internal affairs and recruitment, as well as victim services, police chaplains, and public information. The third block covers the detention center, including emergency response and transport, as well as taser training, a shooting simulator, and a police driving course where students learn what it’s like to stop and approach a vehicle safely. Classes usually consist of a classroom component and an interactive or hands-on component and are taught by subject matter experts within the department. Rachel Haslett, BPD’s public information officer and the primary organizer of the academy, said the program has been offered for about 15 years and about 30-35 students typically enroll. Classes of this size are ideal for the combination of classroom learning and hands-on experiences the students participate in. Although the time commitment for participants is substantial, Haslett said the department has never had trouble filling a class. In some cases, people who are interested in a career in law enforcement apply to the academy so they can learn about the many different roles available beyond patrol and dispatch. Applicants must pass a background check because the academy provides access to secure areas in the department’s facilities. Police departments across the country have offered citizens academies for years. Haslett said it provides a great opportunity for the department to bring in community members and encourage them to ask questions and break down the invisible barriers between law enforcement and the community. “Sometimes our residents are surprised at how complex things are and that there’s so much more that goes into everything than what you see on TV,” said Haslett. “It’s kind of breaking down those stereotypes and showing what really happens. We have great discussions and our community members
