The Johnston community's second Citizens Police Academy took place this fall, spanning eight weeks. The 14 graduates gained a firsthand glimpse of the diverse range of duties the Johnston Police Department provides to ensure the safety of our community. This academy not only heightened participants' awareness but also afforded them a glimpse into the mental, physical, and emotional demands intrinsic to the profession.
This academy unfolded as a series of expertly-led workshops, strategically crafted to acquaint residents with the intricate workings of the City of Johnston and the diverse range of services it offers. Throughout this comprehensive program, participants were guided through a spectrum of enlightening topics, including:
- Policing dynamics
- Response measures to calls for service
- Community policing strategies
- Tactical operations and traffic enforcement (complete with a hands-on mock traffic stop experience)
- Navigating the justice system
- Crime scene management
- Press and evidence in investigations
- Insights into crime lab operations
- Nuances of investigations
- Processes of de-escalation
- K9 operations
- Immersive firearms simulator scenarios
- The vital role of School Resource Officers
- The Community Affairs Coordinator's emphasis on relationship building
This year’s graduates include:
- Barrett Ericson
- Tom Cope (Council Member) (not pictured)
- Rhonda Martin (Council Member)
- Nikki Roorda (JCSD Superintendent)
- Mike Pogge-Weaver (City Administrator)
- Kari Allen (not pictured)
- Magali Madrid-Smith
- Ben Gardner
- Steven Prall (not pictured)
- Angela Butler
- Kevin Hillabolt
- Gramilda Ramirez-Gourd (not pictured)
- Bernita Missal (not pictured)
- Timon Nadarevic
