Salem Police cancels Community Police Academy amid budget concerns
The program, which aims to teach community members about police services, procedures and policies, was launched in the mid-1990s, spokesperson Angela Hedrick said.
The 14-week course, which was originally held twice a year, was reduced in October to a once-a-year eight week program as part of "ongoing efficiency measures," Hedrick said.
The next course was scheduled to begin in April and included weekly three-hour classes every Wednesday evening in addition to two Saturday classes.
Crime scene investigation, emergency vehicle operations, scenario-based training and the traffic control unit were among topics that would be covered.
Hedrick said the Community Police Academy is one of the department's longest-running community engagement programs and is popular with the community. She said the department hopes to bring back the program in the new fiscal year but is unsure if that will be possible.
"(C)easing the program is a direct result of required cost reductions by the City of Salem due to the growing budget concerns," Hedrick said in an email.
Salem is currently facing a $13.8 million budget shortfall. Salem Police disbanded its behavioral health unit and its community action unit at the start of this year, citing the need to maintain critical patrol staffing levels.
No other resources are available for people to learn the lessons taught at the academy, Hedrick said.
"That was what was special about the program—it offered the opportunity for residents to learn directly from staff," she said. "We have no other program like it."
Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem Police cancels Community Police Academy amid budget concerns
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