The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Citizens on patrol
Students from annual CPA class graduate
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2008
The Citizens Police Academy, a community outreach effort of the Ypsilanti Police Department and the Friends of the Ypsilanti Police, held its 2008 graduation last week for a record-sized class of 21 people who live and/or work in Ypsilanti.
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Graduates of the Class of 2008 are: Nancy Corfman, Kathy Couture, Tracey Davis, Tom Dodd, Delores Emerson, Tammy Hall, Tim Heires, Suellen Hummell, Lula Jones, Crystal Joseph, Karen Perkett, Michael Nicholas, Michelle Rose-Armstrong, Jeanine Sale, Edward Sale, Chrissa Swanson, Fady Salamey, Elizabeth Talbot, Bonnie Wessler, Bernedia Word and Frank Wright.
The graduates and their guests, along with police and command officers, gathered for food, reminiscences of the class and some lively entertainment, as well as the graduation ceremony.
Mayor Paul Schreiber gave a brief address, noting he had graduated from the class in 2007 and telling some of what he had gained from it. Graduate Tom Dodd and his "squeezebox" led the crowd in songs written especially for the occasion.
"This was a wonderful experience," said graduate Frank Wright. "I have learned so much and have a new appreciation for what the police do for our community."
The academy was started in 1997 to bring awareness of police work to community members. It is funded by the Friends of the Ypsilanti Police Department. The Volunteer Service Corp lends assistance during the classes. Many members of the Volunteer Service Corp are graduates of the academy.
During the classes, students learned about basic patrol procedures, SWAT work, dispatching, city ordinances, prosecuting a case, defensive tactics, how evidence technicians operate, weapons training and other aspects of police work.
This year's class was visited by Officer Tony Schembri and his Belgian Shepherd, Buky, who make up the K-9 Unit, as well as Bailey, a police-trained Belgian Shepherd owned by Sgt. Deric Gress.
"This is something everyone in the city should do," said Dodd. "It gave me a new perspective of the city and not necessarily a bad one. But, it shows why the police department is so important to the community."
"This class was one to remember," said Sgt. Amy Walker, who organizes and runs the academy. "These people are kind and supportive and a lot of fun. It was great to work with them."
Applications are being taken for the 2009 class. Sgt. Walker can be reached at 483-9510.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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