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Crime & Safety

Citizens Police Academy Class Graduates

Civilians got an insider's look at the Southampton Town Police Department.

The 's 16th Citizens Police Academy class graduated Monday following a 13-week course on police practices and procedures designed to bolster understanding in the community of how their local police department works.

"The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy Program is to build a better understanding between citizens and the police through education," Police Chief William Wilson wrote in a statement. "Citizen recruits became familiar with the operations of the Southampton Town Police Department and gained a deeper understanding of the law enforcement related issues facing the police and the community."

Topics the course covered included criminal law, Constitutional law, police procedures and community relations, and students went on ride-alongs with police officers.

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"Since the program’s inception in 1994, Citizen Police Academy alumni have included members of the community from the business field, citizen advisory committees, town government, town judiciary, reverend clergy, numerous civic and community groups, East End N.A.A.C.P., United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, educators, League of Women Voters, Neighborhood Watch, local media and many 'concerned citizens,'" Wilson said.

The 2011 class included Adam Ortiz, Donald Mahoney, Susan Soto, Keith Schultz, Pamela Greinke, Edward McGrath, Colleen Reynolds, Lance Aldrich, Jessica Barry, Vasco Garnett, David MacMillan and Dennis O’Rourke.

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