The Auburn Police Department hosts Citizens Academy, an interactive 12-week program that runs on Wednesday nights, March 4 to May 27.

Classes are free.

Participants meet once each week – every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. – to learn about and interact with police department employees, from the chief of police to detectives.

Topics of discussion include K-9; narcotics; investigations; firearms/officer survival; records management; traffic enforcement; SWAT and patrol, among others.

“We encourage all of your questions and seek to provide an environment where the community can become not only better engaged with our agency, but more knowledgeable about the inner workings of law enforcement as opposed to what is usually pushed out through other forms of media,” the police department posted on Facebook.

After attending a minimum of eight classes, participants will be scheduled for a ride-along with one of the officers.

Participants must attend nine of the 12 sessions in order to graduate at the end.

Applicants must pass a background check prior to being admitted to the class.

To begin the application process, see auburnwa.gov/citizensacademy