The Oregon-based Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has opened up registration for its free, 11-week annual Citizen Police Academy.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website:

The Citizens Police Academy program is designed to familiarize participants with various aspects of law enforcement, such as administrative philosophy, internal policies, and the guiding principles of law and ethical conduct governing the delivery of police services.

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The program covers procedures from patrol and investigations, vehicle operations, arrest and control techniques, firearm procedures and communications / 911.

“What we hope to get is advocates for law enforcement so when things are out there in the media that might seem negative, you might have a better idea of what’s going on,” Andrea Zielinski, of the Sheriff’s Office, told NR Today.

For more information on the academy, please visit DCSO.com.