The UB Police Department will hold its fifth annual Citizens’ Police Academy, starting Feb. 13, to give members of the university community an in-depth look into the working life of a police officer.

The seven-week course will begin in Bissell Hall, North Campus, before moving to other locations during the course.

The 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 Gerald W. Schoenle Jr., chief of UB’s Police Department.

Schoenle says the department is looking for a good mix of participants from groups across the campus interested in seeing how the university police force operates and the role of its officers in the justice system.

The program culminates with a ride-along with a veteran police officer and a graduation ceremony, he adds.

Classes are conducted in an interactive setting taught by University Police officers and other public safety professionals. Subjects covered 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.

This year’s program also addresses the appropriate use of force, police investigations, a day in the life of a UB police officer and operating emergency police vehicles. Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to take part in several hands-on activities, in addition to the end-of-the-course ride-along.

Classes will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for approximately three hours, beginning Feb. 13. The class size will average 20 students, and is open to students, faculty and staff. Classes are non-credit bearing for university students.

Those with questions or seeking applications for the Citizens Police Academy, may visit the UB Police Department’s website,  Facebook page,  or email Lt. Dave Urbanek at Urbanekd@buffalo.edu.