HPD mounts its first Citizen Police Academy

• HPD officers who will be instructors of the Citizen Police Academy

These Hudson Police Department officers will be instructors over the eight-week course of the Citizen Police Academy. From left are Lt. Paul Larson, Sgt. Eric Atkinson, Sgt. Glen Hartman, Sgt. Brad Kusmirek, Detective Jeff Knopps and officers Geoff Willems, Bob Larson, John Worden and Tracy Haines.

Talk about it

The Hudson Police Department initiated its first Citizen Police Academy last week. The nine participants include four Hudson City Council members, a member of the Police and Fire Commission and a former mayor. The group will complete an eight-week course that will cover a variety of police procedures and practices.

Chief Marty Jensen said the objective of the academy is to give citizens a better understanding of how the department operates and what officers experience daily on the job from patrol officer to detective, from high-speed chase to murder investigation.

Participants are council members Lee Wyland, Pam Brokaw, Lori Bernard and Randy Morrissette, commission member Dale Willi, former Hudson Mayor Tom Redner, city treasurer Betty Caruso, Mary Yacoub and Star-Observer reporter Meg Heaton.

The first class focused on community policing and emergency communications. The group was given a tour of the 911 dispatch center by director Casey Swetlik. Sgt. Eric Atkinson detailed several community programs the police conduct including Neighborhood Watch, Traffic Tamers, the Police Explorers program and the CARD underage drinking program.

Lt. Paul Larson talked to the class about emergency vehicle operation including high-speed chase procedures. Larson explained the state statute that governs emergency vehicles and chases. Larson said that since 2000 there have been 41 high-speed chases that have involved the Hudson Police Department. Of that number, 20 were initiated by the HPD, 11 ended in Hudson and most occurred between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Ten of the chases resulted in accidents, 18 in police stops, two suspects were lost and 11 were called off.

Upcoming class sessions will include: