PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Over the past year America has heard growing calls for more community policing. This past week, the Philadelphia Police Department graduated their 52nd class from the Civilian Police Academy.
The class was made up of nearly a dozen residents from across the city.
"I felt with everything going on in the city of Philadelphia, I needed to have a better understanding of how the police department works," said Mt. Airy resident Heather Pierce. She and her sister Dina said they felt an obligation to take the class.
"I wanted to understand the procedures," she said. "I wanted to understand why they do what they do and I think from this I did learn that."
"I would take the class again," said Dina Pierce. "I would recommend everyone take it."
The Pierce sisters said the most valuable lesson they gained was understanding. The 13 nightly training sessions take place once a week and cover topics from arrests and search warrants to history and principles of law enforcement.
The Civilian Police Academy takes place every year and is open to all Philadelphia citizens 18 or older. The classes are designed to represent the diverse population and neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
