RAPID CITY - The Rapid City Police Department will host a citizens' police academy, beginning Sept. 13.

The 12-week program offers local residents a firsthand look at the operations of the Rapid City Police Department.

The class meets each Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rushmore Mall substation classroom.

Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender said the academy is an interactive program covering a variety of police activities including criminal investigations, special-response team demonstrations, patrolling, canine-unit demonstration, accident investigation and legal procedures.

Allender said participants will go on patrol with a police officer, will drive a police car through a qualified course and will also try out the firing range.

Participants must be at least 21 and may be residents of Pennington County or the surrounding counties.

The class size is limited to 24 students.

Application deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30.

Applications can be picked up at the police substation at Rushmore Mall, at the police department at 300 Kansas City St., or online at www.rcgov.org/police/citizenspoliceacademyapplication.htm.

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com