Bozeman Police Department Citizens Police Academy

A little tired this morning...last night I finished my final week of the Bozeman Police Departments Citizens Police Academy. It is a 9 week commitment, but it was absolutely the most fun I have had in a long time.Every Wednesday night for 9 consecutive weeks about 30-35 citizens get to spend 3 hours each night with the different agency's within the Bozeman Police Department.

Week 1 was an introduction to what we could expect, it was hosted by our new Chief Ron Price and Lt. Mark Johnson.

Week 2 we spent time with the patrol division doing mock traffic stops..looking for drugs and weapons.

Week 3 was spent with the crash investigation unit and saw how they investigate crashes and spent time talking DUI investigation.

Week 4 was "use of force" and yes we got to fire tasers...no not at each other but it was pretty cool.

Week 5 was spent with the Detectives and how they investigate homicides, suicides and crime scenes, in my next life I want to be a crime scene investigator.."CSI".

Week 6 was spent with the Missouri River Drug Task Force. It is amazing and scary how much drug trafficking  goes on here and how much is let go because they are short staffed and under funded.

Week 7 was with the Police Information department and the Chaplain...Warren Hebert, he is AWESOME!! Last night was with the Special Response Team..AKA "SWAT" these guys are cool and we had fun with them playing with machine guns, tear gas and setting off flash bombs...I sure it scared the heck out of the neighbors at our meeting place.

Next Wednesday night is our graduation at 6:30 pm at the Story Mansion. If you get a chance to be part of the next one, DO IT, you will not regret it and you will have a new respect for what our local police department does and how fortunate we are to have a highly skilled force.