CITIZENS ACADEMIES
All 3 city-sponsored academies programs are accepting applications for Autumn 2008 sessions.
Download applications (below) and return to:
City of Fort Smith Citizens Academies
Attention: Tracy Winchell
P. O. Box 1908
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902
twinchell@fortsmithar.gov
Citizens Police Academy
Tuesdays
Sept. 9 - Nov. 11
Citizens Academy
Thursdays
Sept. 11 - Nov. 6
Citizens Fire Academy
Monday, Aug. 25
Thursday, Sept. 4
Monday, Sept. 8
Monday, Sept. 15
Monday, Sept. 22
Monday, Sept. 29
Thursday, Oct. 9
Monday, Oct. 13
Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 15.
RECENT GRADUATES
Congratulations to recent graduates of Citizens Police Academy, Citizens Academy, and Citizens Fire Academy. Spring 2008 classes for all three city-sponsored academies hosted approximately 70 citizens who committed many hours learning about various aspects of our municipal government.
Fort Smith is fortunate to have a team of professionals managing city services, and they take pride in hosting the citizens they serve. The citizens academies provide an excellent and entertaining experience for class members.
Citizens Police Academy
The Fort Smith Police Department completed its 25th 11-week course, graduating approximately 25 citizens. The Citizens Police Academy is the City of Fort Smith’s flagship academy, with an active alumni group.
Members of each Citizens Police Academy participate in live fire training, ride-along sessions with patrol officers, operate traffic control devices, and try their hand at felony traffic stops. Classes also cover domestic violence, community policing, investigating major crimes, and juvenile offenders.
Class graduates say their experience has given them a deeper appreciation for law enforcement officers and for the policies and procedures within the police department. Fort Smith Police Chief Kevin Lindsey says, “Citizens Police Academy provides opportunities for interaction between law enforcement officers and the public. It’s much easier to build mutual trust and respect in a relaxed environment than in a tense situation that requires the presence of a police officer. We enjoy tremendous loyalty and support from our Citizens Academy Alumni Association.”
Citizens Academy
Citizens Academy is a 10-week program designed to give participants a broad overview of how city government impacts the lives of its residents every day. The class visited the sanitary landfill, the P Street wastewater facility, toured downtown and city hall, toured progress with downtown-area neighborhoods, and learned about the city budgeting process, hiring procedures, and received briefings and hands-on sessions with police and fire units.
Graduates from this program say they are more engaged in their community, know how to get things done, and have developed a closer bond with their neighbors.
Spring 2008 graduates represent completion of the third Citizens Academy.
Citizens Fire Academy
The Fort Smith Fire Department completed its second 8-week course, graduating 30 people, each of whom received instruction and hands-on training with rappelling equipment, fire hoses, hazardous materials gear, and the bomb squad’s robotic device.
Class graduates say they have a better understanding of how a fire department works, and for the men and women who have chosen firefighting as a profession. Fort Smith Fire Chief Jerry Tomlin says, “This Department has benefited by receiving input from the citizens on how to improve our service to the citizens of this community.”
