Night one of Albany’s Citizen Police Academy Program

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) --  With the latest crime statistics in Albany showing an increase in shooting incidents and shooting victims there was also an increase in gun arrests and recoveries. NEWS10 went to Albany’s Citizen Police Academy as they kicked off another training program to see just how citizen policing can help make the difference.

Wednesday is night one of the 12-week Citizen Police Academy Program being held at the Albany Police Academy. Applicants must attend 75% of the classes in order to graduate.

“We have a record number of people put in to attend this,” said academy instructor Sgt. Steve Sayre.

40 people in all signed up for the program that has been operating for nearly two decades now. “This is really one of the more exciting programs we have. This gives us some face time with the members of our community, we can share what we do, we can kind of eliminate some misconceptions about what people may think about the police department. But also, gives us a chance to get to know them a lot better. So, this is great,” said Chief of Police Eric Hawkins.

The Police Chief says there are many benefits to the citizen policing, and the program is designed to give a real hands-on option. “They get a chance to have a demonstration with our canine officers to see how these animals operate. You know, they help us so many different ways. They're part of our family. They are a less lethal form of helping us to bring bad people into custody and get them off the streets. And when they see our mounted unit, they get a chance to go out to the farm and they can see these beautiful animals and how they help us with crowd control and community events,” said Hawkins.

He also says this a great way to try and recruit new officers as those numbers are lower than desired. “This is a great way for us to recruit members of our community and if they aren't interested, they have sons or daughters or nephews or nieces or friends or family that may be interested, and they can get it out and let them know about the police department and how great a place this is to work,” stated the chief.

He says crime stats may be up, but his officers are trying to make a real difference. “It gives us an opportunity, really know our community a lot better. Let our community get to know us a lot better. And that really helps with bringing down crime numbers. But also helps us to deal with the fear or the perception of crime.”

A few attendees that NEWS10 Reporter James De La Fuente spoke to said they were intent on learning more. Some for the benefit of others and some for their own career goals.

“I have always had an interest in getting into law enforcement. So I think it'd be interesting to try to get some of the hands-on training that they might offer to get a head start and get a feel for what they might teach you in a police academy. And also, to get a better understanding of what police officers kind of go through on a daily basis and what kind of training they get,” said class attendee Thomas Bridgeford.

“I teach forensic science to many students who want to go into law enforcement and so I'm just trying to be better equipped to help them answer their questions so they can go on to be police officers or whatever they path they choose in criminal justice,” said local high school teacher Adrienne Ladd.

Some said they just want a better relationship with police. “I'm hoping to feel a little more confident speaking to the police or approaching them if there's an issue that might not be critical but important,” said attendee Maureen Harmon. 

Albany Mayor, Kathy Sheehan, is praising the decades old program saying, “The Citizens Police Academy is an important community program offered by the Albany Police Department aimed at educating residents on policing training, policies, and procedures in place to keep our community safe. I’m looking forward to watching our newest class engage with our officers and expand their understanding of what the law enforcement professionals within the Albany Police Department do every day.”