[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         COMMENDING THE CITIZEN PO- LICE ACADEMY OF FREMONT, CA

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fremont Police 
Department which recently created a Citizen's Police Academy to inform 
local citizens about Fremont's various police services. In our efforts 
to fight crime at the national level, we have often stressed the need 
for improved police-community relations. It was good to hear that the 
Freemont Police Department has already taken steps at the local level 
to do just that by implementing a model community policing program--the 
Citizen's Police Academy.
  Under the direction of Chief Craig T. Steckler and Lt. Jan Gove, the 
first class of this free 11 week program was held on September 8, 1994. 
Topics covered include: selection and training of police officers, 
criminal law, internal affairs, patrol operations, communications, 
special investigations, community relations, and firearm safety. 
Academy classes are taught by members of the Fremont Police Department 
staff, which include administrative officers, senior patrol officers, 
and civilian employees.
  The academy's goals include fostering direct communication between 
community members and police officers, allowing citizens to have the 
opportunity to voice their law enforcement concerns, and improving 
relations between the police department and the community. It is hoped 
that once participants have gotten a behind the scenes look at the 
operation of their police department, they will feel more secure in 
their community, and understand more about the challenges of police 
work.
  It seems to me that the residents of our communities need to know how 
their police departments operate, so that the channels of communication 
are in place when needed. Community policing programs such as this one 
take the police out of their offices and patrol cars and into the 
community, so that the residents can see for themselves who the 
officers are and learn to trust and respect them. In addition, the 
course will educate participants on which law enforcement issues face 
their community and ask for their participation in finding ways to 
address those problems. I am certain that cooperation between the 
police and public will be enhanced as a result of the Citizen's Police 
Academy.
  I am proud that the Fremont Police Department has provided their 
community with such a wonderful educational opportunity. This program 
in my district complements the community policing provisions in the 
crime bill, and is exactly the type of effort we want to see happening 
nationwide. I hope other police departments will follow Fremont's lead 
and establish citizen's police academies of their own.

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