Today is the last day to sign up for the annual Citizens Police Academy. The academy is organized each year by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Kelso and Longview Police Departments. Its goal is to provide valuable information to citizens about public safety in the community and to foster better communication between citizens and their police service.

The academy will include a range of activities, such as tours, a ride-along, live-fire range training, the use of a force simulator, and more.

Classes will be held every Wednesday evening for 10 weeks from 6 to 9 p.m., with one Saturday session in April. Classes will begin on March 5th, and graduation will take place on May 14th. Anyone who lives or works in the county can apply, but applicants must pass a background check. There is no cost to attend.

Applications are available at the Kelso and Longview Police Departments, as well as the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, or they can be found online at each agency’s website.