Steve Townsend (pictured, second from left), director of marketing and communication for the Mike Ilitch School of Business, and Devon Taylor (fourth from left), associate director of recruitment and outreach, recently participated in the Royal Oak Citizens Police Academy.

The seven-week class was open to Royal Oak residents who wanted to see the ins and outs of the police force. Each weekly meeting covered a different topic and gave participants insight into issues the police force faces.

We recently asked Townsend to tell us more about the Citizens Police Academy.

What was discussed during the weekly meetings?

We covered all kinds of topics. Officers gave us classroom presentations on everything from criminal investigations to defensive tactics and verbal de-escalation to use of force and firearm basics. We got to put our knowledge to work by doing things like participating in a session on the department's Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives Range. We had the opportunity to shoot service weapons on the actual gun range and do a ride-along with an officer on patrol.

I did my ride along on Halloween night. It was really interesting because we had at least half a dozen calls during the three hour ‘shift.’ During that time, the police responded to a noise complaint, a threat from an ex-spouse and a larceny at the Royal Oak Meijer. Devon did her ride-along Oct. 27 and experienced the police serve a personal protection order and petition the courts for mental health treatment for a patient. She got to see firsthand how the police act as a go-between for law enforcement, nurses and social workers.

What are the benefits of a program like this?

I think there are a lot of benefits. For us, it was a unique opportunity to see how our police department functions and get to the know some of the people who work to protect us each day. For the police department, it was a great way to generate positive community relations and build relationships with some of their citizens. We found the class gave us fantastic insight into law enforcement and the work they encounter each day.

How can citizens sign up for this program in the future?

The only requirement is that you live and/or work in Royal Oak and complete the short online application. They will probably send out another call for applications sometime next summer. We participated in the third year of this program and the police force wants to continue it each fall. The program this year was limited to about 24 people as that’s all that could fit in the small police station conference room. They will actually be building a new facility in about a year and a half so in the future hopefully more people can get involved. Anyone who lives or works in Royal Oak should at least apply to participate in the program because it is such a unique way to get involved in the community.