The Bonney Lake Police Department’s annual Citizen’s Academy program is scheduled to begin next month and seats are filling up fast.

The Citizen’s Academy is a free, seven-week classroom-based course that is designed to facilitate a better understanding of the criminal justice system and local police services.

Classes include criminal law, police patrol procedures, 911 communications, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, domestic violence, school violence, narcotics and investigations.

There are also demonstrations by the Metro SWAT and K-9 teams, a firearms simulator and emergency vehicle operations training.

The Academy is open to anyone living or working in Bonney Lake that is 18 years of age or older (or a high school senior) and has a valid driver’s license, no felony convictions or outstanding warrants.

All applicants are subject to a background check.

The classes are free and class notebooks and identification badges will be provided.

The Academy will meet from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning April 6. One Saturday session will be scheduled in May for the firearms simulator and the emergency vehicle operations class.

For more information or to apply online, contact Officer Todd Green at Greent@ci.bonney-lake.wa.us.