A class designed to give people a better understanding of the work of first responders will be held in North Augusta starting next month.
North Augusta Public Safety is holding its Citizens Academy with classes beginning Sept. 13. The 10-week academy will offer classes from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. Registration ends Aug. 31.
Lt. Aaron Fittery, the lead instructor for the academy, said the program has been in effect for a few years. By experiencing some of the training officers go through, he said the idea is for residents of the city and surrounding area to have a better understanding of the work of first responders.
“We started it as a program to start bridging the gap a little bit between the community and public safety,” he said.
Attendees learn about different investigations and participate in scenarios displaying decisions officers must make responding to various situations. There is also a portion of the program that allows participants to have to ride along with officers on certain calls.
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Fittery said the academy helps people to feel more comfortable conversing and interacting with law enforcement.
“The relationships that it builds with the community are great because they feel like they have somebody they can talk to a little bit easier,” he said.
Fittery said people who have participated in the academy often become new hires.
“We utilize it for recruitment somewhat,” he said. ‘That’s not the intent of it but sometimes it just happens.”
The class is open to all area residents, but preference goes to North Augustans.
“We do accept people from outside of the city,” said Fittery. “I’ve had people from Augusta in there.”
Participants must be at least 21 years of age.
For more information, visit https://www.northaugustasc.gov/government/city-departments/public-safety/citizen-academy
