The Lexington Police Department is now accepting applicants for its annual Citizens Police Academy, a program designed to give residents an inside look at law enforcement operations.

The academy is scheduled to begin on March 10 and will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for nine weeks. The schedule includes one week off for spring break.

According to a media release, the program offers participants insight into the day-to-day operations of the police department, an overview of departmental goals and objectives and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between officers and the community.

Courses will be taught by department personnel and will include presentations on the patrol division, criminal investigations division, office of professional standards, special operations division and various specialized units within the department.

Applicants must be 18 years old, reside in or own a business within the Town of Lexington and pass a background check. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants.

A graduation ceremony will be held on May 12 at the Town of Lexington Municipal Complex. Completion of the academy is a prerequisite for consideration to join the department’s Volunteers in Police Services group.

“For those in the Town of Lexington community who are looking for ways to give back, the Volunteers In Police Services (V.I.P.S.) program provides the opportunity to work with officers at special events and to be an ambassador of the Lexington Police Department,” according to the town website. “The V.I.P.S. program was implemented for alumni of the Citizen's Police Academy to volunteer their time and talents to help the Lexington Police Department and the Town of Lexington community as extra manpower during events, provide direct feedback from the community and help identify issues that need to be addressed, and through regular training sessions to have the ability to answer questions and concerns of those they may be around.”

Events including Lexington's Race Against Hunger, Toys For Tots "Fill the MRAP" campaign, child safety seat events, holiday parades and the "Adopt-A-Cop" Fall Festival are among events VIPS help with.

More information and applications for the citizens police academy are available through the Lexington Police Department website.

For questions, contact Officer Todd Zeigler with the Community Action Team at 803-358-1541 or by email at tzeigler@lexsc.gov.