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Learning about the law

Citizen’s Academy returns this spring

—Daily Freeman-Journal file photo Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Ray Feidler demonstrates interview and interrogation techniques to Citizens Academy student Mary Noffke at the Hamilton County Conservation Office during the 2016 Citizen’s Academy. This eight-part series was put on by the Hamilton County Peace Officers Association to enlighten community members about local law enforcement. This year’s Citizen’s Academy will begin on March 9.

The Hamilton County Peace Officers Association will be holding their third annual Citizen’s Academy this spring. The academy’s goal is to inform the public about what the county and state law enforcement agencies do as well as understand the issues that law enforcement deal with on a daily basis.

“We started it two years ago just to bridge the gap a little bit and give the people in the community a better understanding of law enforcement, the officers themselves, as well as the services we provide and why we do the things we do when we’re out there on the job,” said Rod Hicok, HCPOA President.

The HCPOA is made up of various officers from the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Hamilton County Conservation, Webster City Police Department, Hamilton County Attorney’s Office, Magistrate Josie Greenley, Adult/juvenile probation, and the Iowa Department of Corrections.

“We enjoy being able to visit with people in the community. We like to get them involved,” Hicok said. “If people get to know us a little bit better and what we do, maybe they’ll be more apt to contact us if they have questions or concerns.”

The first class begins March 9 at 6 p.m. Classes will continue on Thursdays at 6 p.m. through May 4. A graduation ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the final academy class.

There is no cost to attend the academy.

“Everyone involved has been working to get things lined up. We’re excited to get it going again,” Hicok said.

The first three sessions will be held at the Hamilton County Courthouse Conference Room (participants should use the sheriff’s entrance). The remainder of the academy will be conducted at the Hamilton County Conservation Office, located at Briggs Woods Park.

Topics that will be covered throughout the course include The Iowa Department of Transportation and Enforcement Division, OWI enforcement, probation/parole and juvenile court, magistrate court, jail vs. prison, traffic enforcement/patrol operations, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation/crime scene investigation, Iowa DNR and Hamilton County Conservation, 911 and communications, collision investigation, active shooters/use of force, Crime Stoppers, victim impact, Domestic/Sexual Abuse Outreach Center

“I’m excited for the program. We offer a wide variety of different topics anywhere from OWI investigations and detection up to crime scene analysis and how they handle the case there,” said Hicok. “We have victim impact. They’ve enhanced it just a little bit this year. It’s a very powerful segment of the curriculum.”

Hicok also noted the addition of one more class than last year after looking at feedback from prior students in the course.

“It’s open to anyone that wants to participate and attend and wants to learn,” Hicok said.

Space is limited, individuals must be registered to attend. There is room for 30 attendees. A criminal history and background check are also both required to attend the course. Participants must be at least 18 years old to be considered for eligibility.

“We do require a criminal history and background checks before they are allowed to attend the academy,” said Hicok.

Individuals interested in attending this nine-week course can pick up applications at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 2300 Superior St., Webster City.

“Individuals can fill out the application right there. It’s really simple…It would probably take less than five minutes to fill out,” Hicok said.

The deadline for submitted applications is Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

For more information about the program, contact Hicok at (515) 832-2516.

“If anyone has any questions they can also contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at (515) 832-9500,” said Hicok.

“We thought it would be a good idea to get the community involved in the things that we do and give them a better understanding,” Hicok said. “We’re not trying to teach people how to be cops, obviously, we want people to understand why we do what we do.”

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