The St. Charles Police Department is launching its first Citizen Police Academy in Spanish.

The free program will be taught by Spanish-speaking officers and will meet at the Police Department from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evenings from Oct. 4 through Nov. 1.

The academy is meant to provide a better understanding of how the St. Charles Police Department operates and is open to Spanish-speaking residents who are 21 years of age and older. Applications also will be accepted for those who live elsewhere but work in St Charles.

Participants will get to meet officers face-to-face and discover what daily life is like for them.

“We are reaching out directly to St. Charles’ Latino residents with this Spanish Citizen Police Academy,” says Crime Prevention Officer Jim Burden. “As St. Charles police officers, we are here to protect and serve all St. Charles residents. It’s important for all residents to get to know their local police officers and learn about law enforcement procedures as well as important crime prevention tips.

“We hope that building a relationship with our Latino residents will help them feel more comfortable reporting crimes and help us solve crimes,” he added. “It’s a win-win.”

Applications can be picked up at the front lobby of the Police Department or downloaded from the city website at www.stcharlesil.gov under “Crime Prevention.”

Once the application has been completed, it can be dropped off, mailed to or e-mailed to the St. Charles Police Department in care of Officer Jim Burden. The Police Department address is 211 N. Riverside Ave., St. Charles, Illinois 60174. Burden’s email address is jburden@stcharlesil.gov.

All applications are subject to approval. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2018.

For more information, contact the Police Department at 630-377-4435.

SOURCE: city of St. Charles news release