There are no doughnuts, no coffee shop and no sitting in a police car.

There is, however, a catered dinner and an educational program designed to make citizens aware of how the police station operates at the Ames Citizen’s Police Academy.

“We had our first class last spring,” said Ames Patrol Cpl. Rollie Link. “It continued because it was successful, and we planned for it to be an on-going program.”

The program began last Thursday under the direction of Rory Echer, who is the community liaison officer. The group meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ames Police Station, 515 Clark Ave.

The program is offered free of charge.

“There is a selection process that takes place [to join the academy],” Link said. “People apply to attend it, and we select whatever number Rory can accommodate for the class.”

There are about 17 citizens in the group who represent a cross section of the community, Link said.

“We might invite people from the business community, people from the media and people from the college,” he said. “We try to get a wide selection.”

As a part of the selection process, Link said a background check is performed.

Amy Sample, junior in business, said she is excited to be a member of the academy because she enjoys learning about the law.

“I joined because I am interested in the court system, which leads into the law, and this is an excellent way for me to learn about the law,” she said. “I also hope to learn more about the police station and what they do.”

The Citizen’s Police Academy includes a wide array of educational programs as well as an introduction to Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine, and Ted Tedesco, mayor of Ames.

“There are classes on criminal investigation, firearms, accident investigation and an overview of the patrol, special operation and detective units,” Link said. “Students are trained and allowed to go out to the range and shoot [the firearms], and those in the academy are encouraged to ride along with the officers on two different nights.”

Sharon Wirth, Ames City councilwoman, said she is looking forward to all of the programs. She heard about the program through Echer, who is the neighborhood liaison for her district, and through a group of friends who were in the program previously.

“I don’t know if there is any one part that is the most interesting because they will all be interesting,” she said. “I am interested in the drive around and the driving range.”

In addition to the programs, the officers also teach members defensive tactics, such as how to make arrests.

All of the programs offered throughout the academy are presented by officers from the Ames Police Department.