Crime & Safety

Lake Zurich Police Double As Teachers

Officers give residents insight into crime scenes, weapons and more during second academy.

After a successful inaugural year, the second year of the Lake Zurich Police Department's Citizens Police Academy is now underway, aiming to give residents a unique perspective on the many duties police officers carry out. 

The 10-week program includes classroom education as well as hands-on experiences in areas such as crime scene processing, DUI/traffic enforcement and firearms training. 

"The academy is a great way to gain first-hand knowledge of what we do, and how we get it accomplished," Lake Zurich Police Department Cmdr. Kevin Finlon said.

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He added the academy also is a way to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community, while providing an informative experience for those interested in law enforcement. 

The Citizens Police Academy began Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 16.   The goal of the department is to make the academy an annual program for residents.

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In its pilot year in 2009 and after nine months of planning, 15 residents enrolled in the academy and the response was overwhelmingly positive, prompting the department to continue the program this year, Detective Kurt Danielson said.

Danielson is the liaison for participants and the department. This year, he said 11 residents signed up, and 15 people, including dispatch and officers, are instructing on various topics.

Danielson said the only change made from last year based on participant feedback was that more time was needed to cover the different topics, so they added an additional half hour to each class. Danielson assists with instruction on a number of different topics covered.

During the program, Lake Zurich residents will gain practical know-how in many areas of police work.  For example, detectives will stage a crime scene where attendees conduct evidence technician duties and crime scene processing.

In light of the popularity of shows such as CSI and Law and Order, the crime scene   part of the training is especially interesting to many who enroll, Finlon said. 

Participants will see how different real life police work is from what is portrayed on television, he said. 

Citizens are also trained in the use of firearms and will be able to shoot four weapons under the supervision of officers, including a 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a revolver, a rifle and a beanbag gun at the firearms range located at department headquarters. 

Participants will also learn about SWAT and hostage situations, vehicle crash investigations and juvenile justice and drug enforcement measures in Lake County.  They will also be able to tour the police facility and 911 dispatch center and go on a ride-along with a patrol officer.  

The Citizens Police Academy was initiated after the department received a federal grant to fund its firearms range, Finlon said. 

Prior to its existence, the department had to travel four times a year to Bristol, Wis. for firearms training.

With the funds saved from cutting out travel, officials initiated the Citizens Police Academy. 

The department now opens up its firearms range to neighboring municipalities to give other departments the opportunity to train closer to home.


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