Class 55 of the Garland Citizen Police Academy celebrated its graduation Thursday, July 15, at the Atrium.
The Garland Police Department offers the Citizen Police Academy for a variety of reasons. They enjoy getting to know the people in the community. In addition, the program gives citizens an opportunity to get to know some of the officers and learn a little about what they do. All the students leave the class with a better understanding and a deep appreciation for what the officers’ jobs involve.
Officer Matt Pesta is the coordinator of the program. The attendees had only great things to say about him and the other officers that participated. Many of them would be able to make a living as standup comedians if they ever get tired of law
enforcement.
Just a few of the activities of the class included:
- Drove police vehicles and competed for the best time on a course
- Visited the GPD shooting range to shoot the same type of gun the officers use – 9 mil. Glocks – and competed for best target shooting score
- Heard from SWAT officers who brought sophisticated weapons and got to ride in the SWAT vehicle
- Interacted with members of the K-9 unit and saw a demonstration of some of the commands.
- Saw a demonstration of one of the department’s drones
- Participated in scenarios in which students got to play the role of officers
- Saw the TX DPS helicopter
- Learned about officer recruiting and training, the SRO and NPO programs and forensics program
- Toured and spent time in dispatch and the detention center and went on a full shift ride out with an officer
- Participated in Q&A session with GPD Chief Jeff Bryan
An award was presented for best time on the driving course, male and female, called the Big Wheel Award and marksman award, male and female, called the Top Gun Award. Tangela Chapple and District 1 City Council Member Jeff Bass
received the Big Wheel Awards. Kelly Claiborne and Wayne Everett received the Top Gun Awards.
Bryan, Pesta and several other officers expressed appreciation to the graduates for taking an interest in the jobs they do and for taking the time to complete the class.
The students expressed gratitude for what the GPD officers do for the community and that they risk their safety so that the citizens of Garland can be safe and rest easy.
The department offers two 13-week sessions each year. Click here for more information.
In addition, there is a Garland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association that graduates are encouraged to join. The group
assists GPD in various capacities.
Photos provided by the Garland Police Department.
