Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Police Department is bringing back a familiar and well-loved opportunity for
residents to connect, learn, and ask questions, the Citizens Academy. Set to return this year with dates to be announced soon, the academy will once again invite community members behind the scenes to better understand the work, training, and decision-making that goes into keeping Prattville safe.
Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson says the academy is about transparency, trust, and connection.
“We are going to renew our Citizens Academy, where adults come once a week,” Thompson said. “They will be with fire one week and police the next week, so they can better understand what we do and why we do it and how we train.”
The Citizens Academy will be offered once a year and traditionally takes place on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a free 12-week course for adults aged 18 or older.
Participants will attend weekly sessions, with one night focused on police operations and the next week on fire services. The goal is simple but powerful, giving citizens a clear picture of what first responders do and how they prepare for real-world situations.
With the addition of the department’s new facility, the academy will be able to offer a more hands-on and immersive experience than ever before. Multiple classrooms and training spaces allow sessions to flow more smoothly and open the door for practical demonstrations and simulations that were not previously possible.
Those jobs, and the training behind them, are exactly what the Citizens Academy aims to explain. Instead of relying on assumptions or TV portrayals, participants will learn directly from the professionals who do the work every day. Sessions will cover how officers and firefighters are trained, how decisions are made in high-pressure moments, and what goes into preparing for
emergencies most people never see.
One of the most impactful components of the renewed academy will be the use of modern training technology. Participants will be able to experience simulation training, including firearms training simulators that present real-life scenarios where individuals must decide whether to use force or not. These exercises are designed to build understanding, not to sensationalize, but to show how quickly situations evolve and how much judgment and trainingare involved.
By opening the doors and inviting the community in, the Citizens Academy strengthens the relationship between residents and first responders. It’s a chance to replace myths with facts, questions with answers, and distance with understanding.
For more information, including dates and how to register, visit the Prattville Police Department
Facebook page at: https://facebook.com/prattvillepd
