Citizen academy valuable to town

(Editor's note: this letter was originally sent to Lt. Stephen McGonagle of the Amherst Police Department.)

It was my pleasure to join you and your colleagues for the spring 2007 Citizen Police Academy. What an experience to observe the inner workings of the department, gain insight into the various duties performed and be exposed to some actual cases. The instructors use a good mix of class material and on-the-job stories, which serve to create "real world" examples for the participants. It's obvious that you are a dedicated group of individuals who value the citizens of Amherst.

This course provides an avenue for a successful merge of the community and the police force to garner involvement, support and mutual respect. Most private companies include "goodwill" on their balance sheet, and in the name of goodwill, it is essential that this program be continued and permitted to return to two sessions per year. The academy has already had an enormous impact and the return can only be exponential.

Every police agency should make available such a program and model it after this one. Kudos to you and the other presenters for such a valuable, worthwhile, and fun way to spend a Tuesday evening. Thank you.

C. Adler Amherst