Students and faculty will soon have the chance to learn what it’s like to be a police officer on a university campus.

ISU Police is offering the 2012 Spring ISU Citizens Police Academy this February to 12 to 15 members of the community. Once selected for the program, participants will work with the ISU Police Division to identify helpful methods to ensure a secure community working in law enforcement.

For nine weeks, students will undergo training to engage their minds in public safety topics covering situations that deal with vehicle stops, drug/alcohol usage, firearms and other related issues in the police division.

The first class session will take place on Feb. 2 and will end with a graduation ceremony on March 29. Classes will run every Thursday night from 6 to 9 p.m. and will not meet during Veishea or Spring Break.

Deputy Chief Rob Bowers said participation in the academy will provide the students with beneficial information to help work toward being the best police officer one can be.

“This academy will be a great orientation to what our officers do and provide for the college,” Bowers said. “Students will be able to see exactly what it is like to work [in] a university cop community.”

During the academy, students will be exposed to a variety of topics and be involved in a hands-on learning environment with activities such as executing search warrants, driving a police car and defensive tactics that will help provide the skills and knowledge for working with law enforcement.

There is no charge fee for the academy, but ISU Police has asked that participants be able to attend most sessions to help provide fairness and fill the limited number of seats.

Students can enroll in the academy by filling out an application on the ISU Police Division website or by contacting Lt. Elliott Florer at 294-4428 or via email at [email protected]