Your San Ramon Neighbors Graduate From Citizen's Police Academy

Thursday evening 20 San Ramon residents graduated from the San Ramon Police Department's Citizens Police Academy, where they discovered what it's like to be a part of law enforcement.

In the 13-week program, participants learned about how the San Ramon Police Department operates. They received hands-on experience in areas such as patrol, criminal investigations, traffic stops, crime scenes, narcotics, DUI enforcement, officer use of force, officer safety, community policing and defensive tactics.

Participants also visited the county jail, and had the opportunity to shoot firearms used by the police force and SWAT at the shooting range.

The graduation ceremony was held in the City Council chambers  in honor of the citizen graduates. After a photo slideshow documenting the program events,  Officers Rob Ransom and Mark Gunning, the program coordinators, Chief Scott Holder and Captain of Police Joe Gorton addressed the room full of graduates and their friends and family. Each graduate received a certificate of completion.

"Not everyone can do it, it's not that easy," said Citizen Academy graduate David Schulz, who added that he enjoyed the academy. On behalf of his fellow graduates, Schulz presented a plaque to officers Ransom and Gunning, thanking them for the program.

The next Citizens Police Academy starts January 2011, but space is limited and fills up quickly. Find out more about the academy and how to sign up here.