By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
The Salisbury Police Department is gearing up for its annual Citizen’s Police Academy and is now accepting applications.
The academy is an 11-week course that meets every Tuesday beginning Mar. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sgt. Tom Wilsey, one of the program’s organizers, said the sessions are limited to 40 people. The classes will be held at the Police Department located at 130 E. Liberty St.
Instructors will discuss various topics including firearms training, gangs, crime scene investigation, K-9 demonstrations, polygraph demonstrations, recruiting and policing philosophies.
“There will be some sessions off site,” Wilsey said.
Some of the off-site sessions include firearms and SWAT demonstrations.
There will also be various guest speakers from the criminal justice system.
Salisbury Police Chief Mark Wilhelm and Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly are two of those speakers, Wilsey said.
Deputy Chief Rory Collins added the applicants can be residents who live outside the city of Salisbury.
There will be a preliminary background check conducted to determine an applicant’s suitability for participation. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Applications are due Mar. 10 at the Salisbury Police Department, 130 E. Liberty St. Applications can be downloaded from www.salisburyncpd.org.
For more information, contact Wilsey at twils@salisburync.gov or 704-638-5211.