Presenters at the upcoming Citizens Academy will include, from left, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Johnson, Hamilton County Peace Officers Association President and Sheriff’s Deputy Rod Hicok, Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann and Hamilton County Jail Supervisor Jess Reding-Ratcliffe.

It’s back.

Sponsored by the Hamilton County Peace Officers Association, area residents again this year will have an opportunity to apply for a free, four-week Citizens Academy to learn more about the role of law enforcement in society.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Rod Hicok serves as president of the Peace Officers group, which is jointly sponsoring the event with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s office, according to Sheriff Alex Pruismann,

“It kind of went away during Covid when people didn’t want to get together,” Pruismann said. “We’re bringing it back to give people an idea of what our jobs are like, day in and day out.”

The program will begin March 20 and run for four weeks through April 10. Each session is about two hours, from 6 to 8 p.m.

In previous years, the Academy was an eight-week program, but it’s hoped that the shorter length may be better for people in today’s busy world.

While the program is free, those who wish to enroll must fill out an application and agree to a brief back-ground check.

Topics planned for the four-week session include:

— Patrol procedures;

— Canine and drone procedures;

— Communication and 911;

— The difference between jails and prisons;

— OWI investigations.

The final OWI session will actually be a “wet lab,” according to Pruismann. Designated individuals will consume alcohol and then go through a series of sobriety tests to demonstrate the effect of alcohol on the human body. No worries, though — safe rides home will be a certainty.

The application deadline is Friday, March 14.

For more information, contact the sheriff’s office at 515-832-4350, or contact Pruismann at apruismann@hamiltoncounty.org or Hicok at rhicok@hamiltoncounty.org.