The Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Cosmopolis police departments will hold a Citizens Academy course in January, which is intended to teach citizens about various aspects of law enforcement.

It’s the first Citizens Academy in well over 10 years for those communities. It is a free course, and is described as giving citizens a “unique insight and experience into what law enforcement does every day serving our communities.”

Participants will hear from law enforcement officers, dispatchers, prosecutors, judges and crime lab technicians. They will also visit a local 911 dispatch center, see a police canine demonstration, and spend a little time on a police range learning about firearm safety, the press release says.

The classes will start Jan. 8 and are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Harbor City Church, at 1700 Cherry St. in Aberdeen. There will also be a number of Saturday classes held for attendees to participate in hands-on law enforcement activities.

Applicants to the Citizens Academy must be at least 18, have no significant criminal record, and be available to attend the overall Academy course schedule. Applications are available at the Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Cosmopolis police stations, or online at www.aberdeenwa.gov or www.cityofhoquiam.com. The class is limited to 30 students.

For specific questions about the Academy, you can contact Aberdeen Deputy Chief Dave Timmons at dtimmons@aberdeenwa.gov or by phone at 360-538-4420.