By Michael Bielawski,
The Burlington Police Department has announced that its annual Community Academy will take place next year, this will include both learning about their routines and drills to help the public better understand the often-intense situations that officers deal with.
“Community Academy is a hands-on opportunity to learn about how the Burlington Police Department operates. Participants are able to interact with our officers, take part in role-playing scenarios, and discuss the laws, principles, and procedures that guide the daily activities of Burlington’s police officers. We encourage anyone who would like to know more about our operations to apply,” the presser states.
Qualifications include being at least 18 years old and living in or working in Burlington. Participants must meet each Wednesday at the Community Room of the Burlington Police Department located on One North Ave.
The Department has been working aggressively over recent years to replenish its ranks after losing roughly 30% of its officers to defunding in June of 2022. The department had 92 officers at the time of the Council’s action, today they have 68.
According to the Pew Research Center, more public engagement is overdue. Their report states, “More than eight in ten police say people don’t understand the risks and rewards of police work well, while an equally large majority of the public says they do.”
The importance of drills
Role-playing scenarios can help the public understand what police face each day. One famous example of this was a 2015 report by Police1.com had a known anti-police protester participate in “shoot/don’t shoot” drills. Via simulated drills, he had experienced both shooting an unarmed man in one scenario and getting himself killed in another. Afterward, the protestor was more sympathetic to police work.
Also, there will be a required “ride-along” when participants go out with officers to observe their work.
The inner workings of the Department
The department has many divisions and stories to tell regarding their work life. The Academy intends to detail this work.
“Community Academy is taught by Burlington police officers and professional staff personnel. Participants will learn how Burlington police officers are recruited, trained, and chosen for specialized policing, and how all officers are trained in a variety of subjects, such as patrol procedures, use-of-force, K-9, mental health, drug enforcement policy, domestic violence, and less lethal tactics.”
Police morale continues to be a challenge
New engagement with the public could be a way to boost morale by improving relationships with the community. Another report by Police1.com details how low morale continues to be a challenge.
“External factors (i.e., growing negative media coverage, increasing oversight, the rising threat of violence, and protracted protests) undoubtedly had an effect, but few employees focused on those outside pressures in our discussions.”
How to apply
Applications for the Academy must be in by Dec. 13. Participants should have a clean record. It states, “All participants must pass a brief background check and have no recent misdemeanor or felony convictions.”
The presser concludes, “Community Academy is taught by Burlington police officers and professional staff personnel. Participants will learn how Burlington police officers are recruited, trained, and chosen for specialized policing, and how all officers are trained in a variety of subjects, such as patrol procedures, use-of-force, K-9, mental health, drug enforcement policy, domestic violence, and less lethal tactics.”
The classes meet each Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm starting Jan 8 to Feb 12 at the BPD.
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle
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