UB Police Organizing Popular Citizens’ Police Academy for 2015

BUFFALO, N.Y. – University at Buffalo Police will hold their annual Citizens’ Police Academy beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, the first installment of a nine-week program giving the university community an up-close, behind-the-scenes look into the working life of a campus police officer.

This year’s course meets Wednesday evenings, beginning at Bissell Hall on UB’s North Campus, then moving to other locations throughout the course. The program ends April 15 (no session March 18 during UB’s spring break) with a closing ceremony during which all graduates receive a diploma presented by UB’s Chief of Police Gerald W. Schoenle Jr.

"Our annual Citizens' Police Academy is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to take an inside look at policing and actually experience what being a University at Buffalo police officer is all about," says Schoenle.

The department is looking for a good mix of campus groups, all interested in how the university police force operates and the role of its officers in the justice system. The program includes a five-hour ride-along with a veteran police officer sometime during the sessions.

Classes are conducted in an interactive setting taught by University Police officers and other public safety professionals, the same officers honored by state and national agencies for their professionalism and individual acts of heroism and service. Subjects taught include fire and first aid, New York State penal law, traffic and accident investigations, criminal and crime scene investigation, and family offenses and domestic violence.

The course has earned rave reviews from its students, including this endorsement from Daniel Arrasjid, senior associate director of issues management, Office of University Communications.

"With each class I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the challenging and rewarding nature of being a police officer at UB,” says Arrasjid.  “It’s amazing how well-trained and sensitive they are to the unique characteristics of a university setting. They truly care about fostering a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for our entire community.

“This shows in every aspect of their training and culture – and every officer I encountered through this multi-week program exemplified a service-oriented approach to their work."

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The application process includes a criminal history, background and a driver’s license check. The deadline to file applications for the class is Feb. 1.

Wednesday classes start 6:30 p.m. and run for about three hours. The class size will average 20 students, and is open to students, faculty and staff. Classes are non-credit bearing for university students.

For information about and applications for the Citizens Police Academy, go to the department’s website: http://upolice.buffalo.edu/ or Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/UBPolice. Information also may be obtained by emailing Lt. Dave Urbanek at urbanekd@buffalo.edu or calling police headquarters at 716-645-2227.