The Florence Police Department uses the Citizen Police Academy to teach the public their role

FLORENCE, Ky. – The Florence Police Department teaches the community how to do their job.

Once a week for eight weeks, citizens and officials meet to discuss various topics and techniques used in law enforcement.

“Last week at the coroner’s office one of our detectives was talking about his cases, and then about the drug investigation. And tonight we’re doing crime scene and self-defense,” said Patrick Cottingham, community officer with the Florence Police Department.

Cottingham said the course is just a small part of their job and the actual police academy.

From self-defense to crime scene analysis, those who participate in the citizen academy learn what officers do and why they do it, all with the goal of community involvement.

“They can go out into the community and be ambassadors,” Cottingham said. “Anything we can do to build that connection with the community and work together is a good thing.”

POLICE ACADEMY FLORENCE — Participants in the Florence Police Citizen Academy learn how to dust fingerprints.

Participants told us that this experience opened their eyes to the realities of law enforcement.

“I already admired the police, but I have an even greater appreciation for them and all they do for the community,” said Citizen Academy participant Luciey Cummins.

Cottingham said the academy has been successful, noting that several people have become department volunteers or even gone through the actual police academy.

He said it is also being helped within their own local government.

“We had a new councilor come through the academy, and she learned what we do and why we do it, which has greatly improved the relationship between her and our bosses,” Cottingham said.

Officers say they are also learning from the academy. Through questions from participants, they learn what the community wants to see and what they think about certain aspects of the work.

The academy is free for anyone who wants to participate. Their next session will be in the spring and will be posted online and on their Facebook when registration opens.