Want an Inside Look at Police Work? Citizen's Academy Accepting Applications

Ever wonder what it's like to dust for fingerprints, use a radar gun or work a crime scene from the inside of those big CSI trucks that roll in whenever there's a murder, robbery, or missing persons case?

Now's your chance to get an inside look at the lives of the men and women who swear to serve as police officers.

The Cranston Police Department is accepting applications for another Citizen's Police Academy "to give our citizens an unforgettable experience and information on how and why the department operates along with the examination of the culture of police work and the organization," according to a release.

On a personal note, I was fortunate to be accepted into the Citizen's Police Academy earlier this winter and Capt. Todd Patalano of the Dept. of Police Training Division isn't kidding when he says it's an rare, "action packed" opportunity to get a true inside look at the workings of a city police department.

Tour the inside of the sprawling Cranston Police Headquarters, ride along with a Cranston patrol officer — you never know what might happen. At the last session, one person was in a cruiser when shots were fired on Reservoir Avenue. Needless to say, agreeing to participate means you might just have to hang on to the "oh crap" handle above the passenger door.

You'll also learn about use of force, get a taser demonstration, talk with top CSI officers, detectives and the hard working staff that gives police the tools they need to get the job done. See inside the CSI van, learn how bullet trajectories are calculated, meet the K-9 and get familiarized with the firearms police use at the training complex off Phenix Avenue.

You have to be 18 or older and no criminal history, but parking tickets and traffic violations aren't a big deal to get into the 8-week program.

This session will run from April 1 to May 20. Meetings run Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

If you're interested, go to http://www.cranstonpolice.com/CPA.htm and fill out an online application.

You don't have to be someone who wants to work in law enforcement. There is no age limit or background requirements. The program is a form of community outreach that is intended to "educate those respected members of our community who want to hear, learn and experience information on law enforcement operations."