Meyer Sign & Advertising is pleased as punch to announce an upcoming blog series that will take our readers “behind the scenes” of how law enforcement works in Mount Vernon. With the blessing and cooperation of Chief Chris Cammock and the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD), our new series will follow the 12-week program known as Citizens Academy (which my spouse fondly coined “Cop Class” when I first enrolled several years ago).

This year I will be going through the program again…but this time, I’m taking you along with me. So, cue “Bad Boys” on the 8-track and get ready to learn what it takes to be in law enforcement — and what community policing means for the citizens of Mount Vernon, Washington. I can guarantee you’ll learn some amazing things.

For starters, let’s get up to speed on the basics of the program, which begins in its 26th session this Thursday, February 6.

What Is Citizens Academy?

The purpose of the Academy, as explained by the MVPD, “is to enhance communications and understanding between the Police Department and citizens.” To accomplish this, the Academy holds classes every Thursday at the Mount Vernon Police Department and Court Campus from February 6 through April 23 (graduation day). Each class runs three hours, from 6:30 to 9:30pm. If this seems like a long time to stay awake on a weekday night, I would argue that there are probably a lot of people who wouldn’t think twice about binge watching “Breaking Bad” for that same amount of time — and Citizens Academy is not only just as interesting, but far more engaging. 

In addition to the classroom curriculum, one Saturday during the program is devoted to “mock scenes” on the campus of Skagit Valley Community College. There are also “field trips” to an emergency dispatch center, the county court and Skagit County Community Justice Center, and even a “ride along” with one of Mount Vernon’s finest. Who knows what the evening may bring? The point is, you’ll be safe, sound…and right there.

The weekly classes are taught by a police officers, department personnel, and guest speakers and cover over 20 topics ranging from how officers are hired and trained to use of force, animal control, and investigations. Along the way you’ll consider issues that deeply affect the quality of life in our community, such as neighborhood policing, homelessness, gang activity, and drug court. Taken together, Citizen Academy classes and activities are designed to teach attendees about the MVPD’s structure and operations, its policing philosophy, and what it is like to put on the blue uniform in Mount Vernon — including the inherent dangers of law enforcement. 

Although MVPD’s call for applications emphasizes that Citizens Academy is NOT designed to prepare a participant to become a police officer, it has inspired more than a few graduates to take a more active interest in law enforcement in their community. Thanks to the program, you are far more likely to understand that the police are us…and we are, through our support and engagement, an extension of our police. 

Q&A with Chief Cammock

To learn a bit more about the history and mission of Citizens Academy, I recently sat down with Chief Chris Cammock to get his take on the program as it goes into its 26th session since its inception.

What is the purpose of Citizens Academy?

“Citizens Academy is probably one of the most visible strategies that we have for getting our community inside the police department. Philosophically, we very much believe the community is a part of us, so you can think of this program as how we go about equipping the community with the capacity to understand not only the department’s role in the community, but the community’s role in policing.”

How would you describe the program’s impact on the MVPD?

“On average our class sizes run from the mid-20s to the low thirties. At this point we’ve graduated over 600 people. The other piece to that number is the exponential value of each of those people sharing their enthusiasm with just five other people…and then you understand why we invest what we do into this program.”

“When we first started Citizens Academy we didn’t expect people to come back and volunteer, although even after the first two sessions that was the unexpected by-product. People were so enthusiastic about it, we created Citizens Patrol. Citizens Patrol started with some basic volunteer duties in the office or maybe a car, and you look at it today. They have their own advisory board, they’re showing up with their own metal detectors, they pretty much staff our public events for traffic control, they have a web based scheduling system for rides, and we’re now instituting our second full time patrol car for them. Where it started and where it is at today is just remarkable, and Citizens Academy was the vehicle that created it.”

How does Citizens Academy work?

It’s a 12-week program. Up front it may seem like a big commitment for people because it is every Thursday night from 6:30 to 9:30, but what we’ve found is that once people get into it the time just flies. Along with education there has to be an entertainment factor…and that’s what brings them. They’re engaged, they’re learning, they’re entertained. Most of the program is conducted here at our campus. Every week it’s two to three different subject matters about the police department. It cascades down from really big picture topics to specifics like our gang unit, tactical capabilities and neighborhood policing. In addition to the classroom activities we have the ride alongs and dispatch as well as the mock scene days that combine classroom learning with doing.”

How do people enroll in Citizens Academy?

“We take applications all year long, so you can just go to our website and you’ll find a link. Just click through the information in it and we store it through the year. Our call for applications is around November and December, but you can always call us or come down to the campus and we’ll have information for you.”

Go Blue!

Chief Cammock informs me that although this year’s Citizens Academy is likely full, there might still be some openings, so if you want to submit a last minute application you just might get in. If not, you’ll be at the head of the line for 2021. Regardless, if you are a citizen of Mount Vernon, graduating from “Cop Class” might just be one of your proudest civic accomplishments along with voting. It certainly is for me…and now I get to relive the dream! I hope you’ll join me in the weeks to come.