ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Saugus police officer Greg Mazzone in his cruiser. The Saugus Police Department is offering a civilian police academy.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The Saugus Police Department is accepting applications for a nine-week Civilian Police Academy program, which is designed to give citizens a clear idea of what it’s like to be a police officer in the town.
“We have a class here within the department over a nine-week period to give (citizens) an overview of what the police department provides for services,” said Giorgetti.
The program will begin Tuesday, Jan. 9, and will offer a variety of classes and activities pertaining to what a police officer would do on any given day, he said.
Police officers will instruct classes on subjects including domestic violence, motor vehicle law, patrol procedures, accidents, firearms awareness, juvenile and drug problems, and other topics relevant to police work.
“There will also be a tour of the Middleton House of Corrections coordinated through the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and a ridealong with each participant,” Giorgetti said.
The classes are expected to be held on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. but could be modified once the applicants are chosen, he said.
The program is free and offered to residents of Saugus who are over the age of 18 years old.
“Similar departments may run a modified police academy for those under the age of 18, those in high school, who may have an interest in law enforcement,” Giorgetti said.
“The ideal candidate (for the Civilian Police Academy program) is anyone who wants an overview or understanding of the police profession and what offers here in town do,” he said.
A short brief background check will be performed for each applicant, he said. Applications are due by Dec. 20.
“We’ve done this a few times before. Normally we do it at least once a year,” Giorgetti said. “Generally there are anywhere from 20 to 25 (applicants chosen).
“We get a lot of interest in this,” he said.
The Saugus Police Department will notify accepted applicants on or before Dec. 20.
“The Civilian Police Academy program is a great opportunity for residents to learn about what life as a police officer is really like,” Chief Domenic DiMella said.
“Anyone who has an interest in becoming a police officer or who just wants to see what it’s like behind the scenes working a beat, should take advantage of this class and sign up,” DiMella said.
For more information, contact Det. Sean Moynihan at 781-941-1187 or Officer Thomas Gaeta at 781-941-1186.
