Free police course an eye-opener

 By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Crediting police training in Maine as top-quality and among the best in the country, HPD Chief Butch Asselin says it is the basis for the first Citizens’ Police Academy starting next Wednesday, April 8. That’s when a 10-week course kicks off for residents to see first-hand what’s involved in being a police officer in the state of Maine.
     Asselin says “the citizens are the eyes and ears of the police department in the community. Without the citizens we wouldn’t be able to function very well because we rely on the people to inform us and report crime.” In addition to having an opportunity to see what the police do, residents, in turn, will be able to express their concerns to the police and form somewhat of a partnership when they see something going wrong in the community.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
COURSE MATERIALS — Houlton Police Department Officer Fred Parker, left, and Chief Butch Asselin prepare a PowerPoint   demonstration for the Rotary Club as Rotarian, Torrey Sylvester, looks on. The course will use Fatal Vision goggles and beakers to indicate unsafe alcohol levels in mixed drinks among other items.
    When asked if there was any expectation that some members of the community may want to become law enforcement officers, Asselin replied: “Absolutely.” He says young people so far make up about 30 or 40 percent of those who have signed up.
    The course will cover various aspects of police work from use of force to investigation and crime scene processing. Officers Eric Crouse and Fred Parker have worked on organizing the program and lining up guest speakers including representatives from the District Attorney’s office, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the state’s K-9 Unit.
    Upon graduation one of the requirements is riding in a police car for eight hours to witness the interaction of officers and residents in various situations. “We’re not going to give civilians guns or anything like that,” says Asselin. “But, if available we’ll put them in soft body armor so they get a feel for it because officers do wear that.” 
    The course and materials are free, thanks to a grant from the Bureau of Highway Safety. Fatal Vision goggles to simulate night-time driving and OUI will be used in the course since safety is an important component of the curriculum. There will also be training on the use of radar units and how to document speeding.
    Once enrollment is filled, names will be put on a waiting list for the next course. Applicants must be from the greater Houlton area, at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent if 16 or 17. Anyone with a felony conviction or extensive criminal history will not be accepted.
    Asselin says applications will be accepted through this Friday, April 3. Classes run 10 consecutive weeks at the Houlton Police Department, 97 Military Street, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, April 8. More information and applications are available at HPD or online at www.houltonpolice.com.