Monday, February 28, 2000

Class offers peek at cop's life

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Grads extra 'eyes, ears'

BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FAIRFIELD — Mike Oler wants people to use their eyes and ears for Fairfield.

        As commander of the Citizen Police Academy, Mr. Oler organizes classes to help people better understand the role of police.

        “I don't want to give the impression that we're giving people a gun and badge and asking them to help enforce the law,” Mr. Oler said. “We want additional eyes and ears for the police department. If people see something suspicious, we want them to call us.

        “Sometimes people say they don't want to bother us. But if each person became additional eyes and ears for us, think how much crime could be prevented. In a city of 40-some thousand people, that's a lot of eyes and ears.”

        The citizen police academy's sixth class will start March 14 at the Fairfield Police Department. Sessions will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays for 10 weeks.

        Class size is limited to 15 people, who must be at least 21 years old and live or work in Fairfield or be employed by an agency that has a working relationship with the police de partment. They also must have no felony arrests and no misdemeanor arrests within the last five years.

        “We have a graduation ceremony attended by the police chief and council members, and we have a little meal,” Mr. Oler said. “The program is well-supported by the city.”

        The academy's purpose is to acquaint people with operations of the police department. The academy also allows personal contact between citizens and officers and shows the capabilities and talents of the police department.

        “Police departments are looking for programs that reach out to the community, teaching people how officers handle different situations,” Mr. Oler said.

        “The academy gives people an insight. These days, there is always a lot of criticism of how police handle different matters. Sometimes it's justified, but people need to see the officers' side.”

        Take the controversial issue of weapons, for example. By using a computerized firearms simulator and an actual firing range, academy members can experience what officers go through when someone pulls a gun.

        “What would you do?” Mr. Oler said. “The training puts people in an emotional frame.”

        Mr. Oler completed 25 years with the police department, during which he served as a school resource officer, patrol officer, public relations officer and juvenile officer.

        When Mr. Oler retired late last year, Chief Michael J. Dickey asked him to become academy commander. Mr. Oler accepted because he said he thinks the academy serves a worthwhile purpose.

        Subjects, taught by experts in the department, include: crime prevention, domestic violence, probable cause, the judicial system, K-9 operations, juvenile offenders, gangs, DARE programs, traffic enforcement, crash investigation, criminal investigation, vice investigation, use of force and firearms demonstrations.

        Each class member receives study materials, a shirt with the police academy logo and an identification badge.

        During training, members may ride with officers three times. After graduation, members are entitled to ride once a month for up to eight hours. Some people are regulars, said Lt. Ken Colburn.

        “We've made a lot of friends in the community through the academy,” Lt. Colburn said. “The academy gives people a chance to see that there's more to police work than giving tickets and writing crash reports.

        “I get a lot of compliments about how officers handled difficult situations.”

        For applications, call Lt. Ken Colburn at 867-6030, Ext. 123.

       

       

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