Riverside, Ca-  The Riverside Police Department is accepting applications for its 25th Citizen’s Police Academy, which begins Wednesday, February 9, 2005 and continues through Wednesday, April 13, 2005.

The Academy will be held at the Riverside Police Department, 8181 Lincoln Street, on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to form a stronger partnership between citizens and the Riverside Police Department through education. Participants will learn about patrol procedures, use of force, community oriented policing, gang and narcotic investigations, general investigations, firearms familiarization, S.W.A.T., traffic safety, and much more. This will provide participants with an inside look into the Riverside Police Department.

The class size is limited to 35 people, seats will be given to the first candidates to mail in their applications, and pass an informal background check. All sessions are in a classroom setting and do not require any physical training. Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2005 for those applicants to be considered in the 25th Citizen’s Police Academy.

Applications are accepted and available on a continual basis at the Orange Street station and all community police centers. For more information, you can contact Officer Phil Fernandez at (951) 826-5903 or by e-mail pfernandez@riversideca.gov.