LIFE

Ask an Officer: Citizen’s Academy

We are currently taking applications for the Fall 2014 WPD Citizen’s Academy. The Wausau Police Department Citizen’s Academy is an excellent way to gain a better understanding of the work and duties of police officers in Wausau as well as an opportunity to get to know some of the officers who serve the community. The purpose of our Citizen’s Academy is to expose interested citizens to the work of our Department personnel.

Classes meet one night each week from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Classes for the fall session will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning on Sept. 16 and running through Nov. 11. Classes include both presentations from various department personnel as well as interactive sessions and tours. Some of the areas that you can expect to learn about include: hiring and training of police officers, OWI investigations, drugs in our community, a K-9 demonstration, defense and arrest tactics, a Taser demonstration, understanding the use of firearms and deadly force, and at the conclusion there will be a graduation ceremony.

Those interested in the Citizen’s Academy can contact Officer Nick Stetzer at Nicholas.Stetzer@ci.wausau.wi.us or 715-261-7953. Priority will be given to citizens who live or work within the city of Wausau, then to other citizens of the metro area.

Lt. Nathan Pekarske is the patrol services lieutenant with the Wausau Police Department. Send questions by email to Nathan.Pekarske@ci.wausau.wi.us or regular mail to 515 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403.