Citizens Police Academy

The Moore Police Department resumed its Citizens Police Academy in January, the first academy offered in several years. More than a dozen Moore residents are participating in the 8-class course which runs until April 20.

The bi-weekly academy is designed to give citizens a behind the scenes look at the police department, shared Capt. Kyle Dudley.

“It looks similar to our academy for new officers but less stringent,” he explained.

Students in the course tour the department and are introduced to defensive tactics, firearms training, virtual reality simulations, law enforcement driving and special divisions within the department.

“The academy has been well received,” said Lt. Kyle Hill, who has been involved with the Citizens Academy for several years. “We try to remove some of the mystery of what goes on in police work, to let people see the innerworkings of why we do what we do.

“It’s not like what you see on TV. There is a lot going on you don’t often get to see.”

Hill will be teaching about firearms and Moore’s school resource officer program during the 2022 spring academy. He said the academy utilizes a wide range of expertise, instructional demonstrations, and active participation.

Chief Todd Gibson opened the first class with an introduction into the department’s mission, vision and values and outlined the role of the community in policing efforts.

“We cannot do our job effectively without the community,” he said. “Coming together is what Moore is so good at.”

Most of the classes are held at the Moore Police Department except for two sessions at the Oklahoma County Range. Participants also ride along with an on-duty officer outside of the scheduled course times.

Moore resident and kindergarten teacher Myka Davis said she enrolled in the academy because she wants to help protect her students better. She is taking the class with a few coworker friends.

“It’s just a crazy world we live in,” Davis shared. “We wanted to get to know the police officers and what all they do.”

Bob Brady, also a resident of Moore, enrolled in the academy for a second time because he wants to gain a

better understanding of what police officers are faced with on the job and how they do what they do.

“My first academy I learned so much, so I know I am only going to learn more this time,” shared Brady. “The first time we went out to the shooting range to see flashbangs and shot two different types of weapons. I got to drive a patrol car and ride with an officer.”

The department has typically hosted the academy twice a year, once in the spring and fall. Hill invites those who aren’t able to commit to the 8-week academy to consider scheduling a tour of the police department.

The academy is open to Moore residents or business owners of at least 21 years of age. To learn more about the academy or to inquiry about scheduling a tour, visit cityofmoore. com/departments/police-department/programs or email communityservice@cityofmoore.com. –19SM