Class 13-16 Week #1
Week #1: getting badges; introductions to police staff, volunteers and the new class; orientation and opening remarks; an overview of the rank structure and organization of the Sandwich Police Department; a guided tour of the sandwich police facility.
The 13th session of the Sandwich Citizens Police Academy got off to a great start March 24, 2016, with 33 new students signed up. After everybody had their pictures taken for ID badges, all of the instructors introduced themselves to the class. Sgt. Bruce Lawrence is the new Director, ably assisted by Deputy Chief Michael Nurse and Community Services Officer Lauren Gilrein. SPD Chief Peter Wack then introduced himself and gave an overview of SPD's operations and personnel. He discussed his creation of several new positions in the Department, all with an eye towards enhancing professionalism and improving community outreach. He has revamped the School Resource Officer--SRO--position, changing it from a plainclothes position to a uniformed position, making the officer more visible to the students. The Community Services Officer--Officer Gilrein--has been tasked with developing stronger connections within the community and promoting the SPD, via the web site and the newly created Facebook page. There are also 2 new Lieutenant positions, Patrol Operations (Lt. Jason Keene) and Training and Community Services (Lt. Josh Bound). Lts. Keene and Bound are both in training this week but will be on hand at next week's class to discuss their roles in the PD.
Students were treated to a tour of the Police Department as part of the first class, always an eye-opener--too many officers stuffed into a too-small, outdated space. Chief Wack emphasized his concerns over security in the building, with officers, prisoners, and visitors all passing in the same corridor. That will change once a new, much-needed public safety building is built.
Contributing Editor, Donna Leiss
Students were treated to a tour of the Police Department as part of the first class, always an eye-opener--too many officers stuffed into a too-small, outdated space. Chief Wack emphasized his concerns over security in the building, with officers, prisoners, and visitors all passing in the same corridor. That will change once a new, much-needed public safety building is built.
Contributing Editor, Donna Leiss
Photos courtesy of Pauline Fortin and Bob Nichols.