The Danville Police Department is getting ready for their Citizens Police Academy that begins on January 19th. Officer Josh Long told Linda Bolton on 1490 WDAN’s News Makers program that this citizens academy is free, and open to any Vermilion County resident. It’s a chance to learn what your police department does.
The class will run for eight consecutive Wednesday evenings at the Danville Public Safety Building, and the 16 guest speakers lined up will include Sheriff Pat Hartshorn and State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. Officer Long says Academy students will also have the chance to take a four or eight hour ride along with the Danville Police.
AUDIO: (It’s) basically a first hand view of what goes on. I mean if you ride an eight hour shift you see what we, such as if you ride a second shift you see what we do from 2:40 to 11 PM at night. And there my be times where that officer is so busy that he doesn’t get even have a chance to do any reports until after 11 o’clock.
Officer Long works as a School Resource Officer at North Ridge Middle School. He says, it is such a challenge these days, because just when you think the latest social media controversy among students is over, it starts up again.
AUDIO: Social media is a killer, man. It really is. And that’s where a lot of our problems, I don’t want to say continue, but that’s how they stay stirred up. A lot of times the staff or myself may have a problem or situation diffused or taken care of, and the kids have agreed to go on about their business. But then 30 minutes later they’re back at it again because somebody has stirred it back up again on Facebook, or TikTok, or Snapchat, or something like that.
But Officer Long also says, he sees plenty of good kids and encouragement among today’s students as well
By the way, to sign up for that Citizens Police Academy, go to the City of Danville or Danville Police Department Facebook pages for an application. You can also send an e-mail to jlong@danvillepd.org, or call 217-431-2250.
