Decatur Police Officers compare notes in the parking lot of Decatur High. File photo by Dan Whisenhunt

The Decatur Police Department is accepting for this year’s 10-week Citizen’s Police Academy.

Participants must be 21 years old and need to pass a limited background check, conducted by the Police Department. It should be noted that “preference is given to city residents and business owners.”

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According to Decatur Police, the class teaches locals about “the inner workings of the police department and how our officers enforce laws and help keep us safe.”

Topics covered throughout the course will include:

– Department Functions & Staffing

– Recruitment & Training

– Criminal Law & Crime Trends in Decatur

– Traffic Enforcement

– Drug Trends

– Firearms Familiarization & Safety

– Special Units & Criminal Investigations

– Use of Force

– Juvenile Procedures

– Community Policing & Crime Prevention

In addition to subjects learned in the classroom, attendees will get the chance to go on a ride-a-long with an on-duty officer as well as tour the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office and the DeKalb County Jail.

The course is capped at 24 people, and will be held on Thursdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m., starting on Sept. 7 and lasting through Nov. 9.

Submit an application by Aug. 21 via email to [email protected] or in person for Lt. Jennifer Ross at 420 West Trinity Place, Decatur, Ga. 30030. Questions or problems with the application should also be directed to her email address.