The Bristol Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, which will begin a new class in October, still has spaces available. Now in its 10th year, the class remains one of the department’s strongest connections to the community it serves.

Colonel Russell S. Serpa launched the first citizens police academy in 2005. The purpose of the citizens police academy is to give the public a working knowledge of the department’s policies and procedures through a series of classes instructed by Bristol Police Department personnel. At its best, the program encourages input and feedback from the civilian participants.

Other cities, such as East Providence, also run citizens police academies. Each class draws unique participants from the community, from young men and women curious about careers in law enforcement to residents concerned about public safety and police procedure.

The class will cover the following topics: Courts, crime scene investigation, department structure, dispatch operations, domestic violence, DUI investigations, school resource officer duties, juvenile crime, narcotics, patrol procedures, search warrants, traffic enforcement and use of force.

Classes run for 10 consecutive weeks, meeting on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bristol Police Department. The latest class, Class 2015-II, will begin Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Bristol Police Department training room. The course, which is free, is open to all Bristol residents 18 or older. Applicants interested in attending should complete the Citizens Police Academy Application, or stop at the Bristol Police Department to obtain an application. For more information about the program, contact Lt. James Annis, Night Commander, at 253-6900 ext. 211.