I’ve just completed the New Canaan Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy, which I learned about in a New Canaanite article.
We toured the Police Department building, saw the Dispatch Center, the holding cell in the basement, and the Special Response Team weapons.
We learned about fingerprints and DNA, about traffic control, accident investigation, youth interaction, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, DUI field sobriety tests, animal control, arrest warrants, probable cause, body cameras, Tasers and weapons, and we participated in a simulated use-of-force exercise that was an eye opener.
We learned who does what, how he or she does it and why, and we had plenty of time for questions. We rode in a patrol car for several hours.
We learned how carefully a police officer candidate is selected and then trained, and the training that each officer goes through each year. For nine weeks, 14 of us met for two-and-a-half hours Tuesday nights at the Police Department. It was informative and fun.
What came through to me is the pride that our police officers have in what they do. I am proud of them.
Peter Hanson
Marvin Ridge Road
Peter I agree I was a graduate of the first civilian police academy