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Citizen’s Police Academy Hits Milestone

More than 100 graduate from crime prevention program

The most recent class of the Citizens' Police Academy poses for a photo after their graduation ceremony. The Duke Police program has worked with more than 100 staff, faculty and students since starting in 2013. Photo courtesy of Duke Police.
The most recent class of the Citizens' Police Academy poses for a photo after their graduation ceremony. The Duke Police program has worked with more than 100 staff, faculty and students since starting in 2013. Photo courtesy of Duke Police.

After two years of educating and training faculty and staff on safety and security, Duke Police’s Citizens’ Police Academy has hit a milestone. 

With a commencement ceremony for its sixth class in November, the program graduated its 101st student.

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Started in spring 2013, a wide variety of employees from across the university and health system have joined the academy, a free, seven-week program geared to offer greater insight into the operations of the Duke Police Department. Activities include “investigating” mock crime scenes, learning about vehicle stops and how Duke reacts to active shooter situations.

“I joined because it was an opportunity to become more united with the Duke Police Department,” said Traci Scoggins, an administrative assistant with Clinical Engineering who graduated from the Citizens’ Police Academy in 2013. “We are the eyes and ears of the community.” 

As Duke Police prepares for another academy class to begin in February, the program’s popularity has led to creation of new offerings. In addition to fall and spring police academy classes, there will soon be “advanced” courses for police academy alumni who want to get additional training.

Eric Hester, crime prevention specialist and program coordinator of the academy, said he’s currently working on topics to cover in order to provide a deeper dive into Duke Police’s role and responsibilities on campus and in Durham.

“We have been so happy with the reaction we keep getting from folks who join the Citizens’ Police Academy,” Hester said. “Now we’re excited to be able to expand it and share these experiences with more people.” 

Scoggins said she’s been impressed with how close participants become during the police academy, noting that alumni  get together several times throughout the year. She also picked up tips and tricks on crime prevention.

“My goal was to learn how to be more observant,” she said. “I learned that if it doesn’t look right or feel right then probably isn’t right.”

Ben Weast, licensed professional counselor with the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, said the Citizens’ Police Academy is playing a pivotal role enhancing employee awareness of safety on a campus environment, especially identifying the potential for concerning behaviors of individuals.

“This milestone signifies the creation of an inroad into the greater Duke community, one of awareness,” said Weast, who graduated with the academy’s fall 2014 class. “Community safety and vitality is the responsibility of all members of the Duke community, not just the police force.”