Last year we wrote many times about the LaGrange Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy.

Several members of our staff went through the 10-week course, getting an inside look at how the department operates.

Last week, the LPD announced that its accepting applications for a new citizens police academy, which will start Jan. 23. The academy is currently held twice a year, but this is the first time it’s ever been held in the first half of the year. The most recent class had about a dozen people in it, and we’re sure the LPD would love to see at least that many in the class this time.

The class involves ride alongs with police officers, a chance to perform a mock traffic stop and a look at how officers are trained to respond to difficult situations.  The classes remind people that police officers are just doing their jobs. They algo give the community a chance to ask questions of officers and for officers to respond with their point of view.

Those conversations are great for our community.

Anyone interested in the citizen’s police academy can pick up an application form at the police department’s front desk or visit the LPD Facebook page.