“Apply for the Lakewood Police Citizens Academy today” – this article appeared in The Suburban Times on May 2 of last year and electrified me. I had known about the program for some time but hadn’t been ready to apply until now. I’ve always wanted to know how law enforcement works – and not just because I write crime novels, among other things. Whether the police’s job is really as it is portrayed on TV or in crime novels. What they have to deal with. Here was the link to the website and I made my decision on the spot. After telling my husband that he would be spending eight consecutive Tuesday nights alone this summer – assuming I was accepted – I filled out the application form for my background check.

I didn’t have to wait long for a response. Captain Chris Westby soon sent emails to all prospective participants with more details, and on June 11, the journey began, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the Lakewood Police Department. Twelve participants from all walks of life gathered in a large classroom at the station on Lakewood Drive SW, were issued polo shirts and badges, and given an introduction to the history and structure of the city’s police department. A tour of the building was our first revelation. Let’s just say there’s so much more than cubicles, interview rooms, and jail cells. Think of anything that comes to mind when you think of police work—the Lakewood station has it! We participants weren’t shy for long either. Encouraged to ask questions, we peppered Captain Westby with questions. The planned two-and-a-half hour class effortlessly turned into an exciting three hours! And that was just the beginning of a program that ended on the last Tuesday in July.

We learned that patrol officers use their cars as offices, that Marine Services is called out for all types of rescues throughout Pierce County, including diving, and that the largest unmanned drone costs as much as a brand new car because of its night vision cameras. How important details are when calling South Sound 911 and that community policing can literally change the face of a neighborhood. We got an insight into crime investigation and that after 48 hours, you are 50% less likely to identify a suspect, meaning time is of the essence. How different institutions work together during critical incidents like a train derailment and we got to inspect an armored vehicle that the Special Response Team uses. We learned that K9 teams, human and canine, understand each other without words and got to pet the playful K9 dog Kona. We met the Special Response Team, the Behavioral Health Contact Team, the Auto Theft Taskforce and the Civil Disturbance Team.

We learned about the incredible cost of forensics departments’ tools and that they often rely on donations. We also learned about three different courts in Lakewood Municipal Court (two of which help at a behavioral level). We learned that Washington State law prohibits police from chasing and bringing home runaways, leaving minors even more vulnerable, and that auto thefts have dropped dramatically since chasing car thieves was allowed again. The Lakewood Police Department works with other cities’ departments, providing them with personnel when needed, but also receives support from its partners.

We learned about emergency management and how a citizen of Lakewood can prepare in case the big disaster strikes. For me, as a trained old-school, old-world journalist, it was painful to hear how the media often listens to the judgment of passersby because they want to be the first to break the news on a case rather than waiting for the bigger picture that the press secretary would give them. It was important to get an idea of ​​how to analyze a potentially dangerous situation as quickly as possible or how to act as a witness in a collision case. When I think about it, those eight evenings in the multipurpose room, which also serves as the operations center, flew by. I have certainly never been in a class before that was so focused on a topic presented by the representatives of each individual team.

As participants in this year’s Citizens’ Academy, we didn’t just sit there, listen, ask questions and snack on delicious, home-made cookies and pastries. There was also a lot of action on two Saturdays.

The first was a half-day police car driving through a police obstacle course. The last lap was timed. Although we are all experienced drivers, the challenge was the tightness of the course, abrupt or extreme turns, and… a backwards slalom where we tried not to hit any of the pylons AND go as fast as possible. Some of us really rocked it. (I was third to last with only one “victim.”)

On the second Saturday, the police team in charge had a half-hour slot in their busy schedule. This time we were equipped with virtual reality equipment and a weapon. We were sent into so-called violent scenarios where we had to make split-second decisions. If anyone didn’t know what the police face every day, this was certainly an overwhelming experience. We only went through two virtual reality scenarios each. Imagine police officers going through one real-life incident after another for an entire working week, each one different, for all shifts. Then imagine that they had to write a report on each incident that would be filed in the files, describing in great detail what happened, when, where, how and why. In between, because they are understaffed, they might have to work in another team on another incident. They are constantly taking courses on changes in the law, new technologies or courses that deepen and expand other in-demand skills. And after a day of exhausting human interactions, they come home to be husbands/wives, fathers/mothers and neighbors like you and me. However, they are willing to risk their lives for us citizens with every call they receive, not knowing how they will be received on the ground.

On July 30th, all twelve of us graduated in a small ceremony where we received our certificates. Although it was clear from the beginning that we valued the work of the Lakewood Police Department and we had insight into their daily workload and the physical and mental challenges they face, it was hard to find words to describe how much their service means even more to us now. We have grown together as a class, but our perception of the police has also changed. We understand their different perspective much better now.

Being so close to a very special concept of life – because it’s not just a job – has been an honor, a privilege, and a wonderful experience. If YOU are interested in participating in this program, please check the website https://cityoflakewood.us/citizensacademy/ for the next available classes in 2025. It’s an exciting education, a way to connect and understand better, and a way to thank the police for making our lives safer on so many levels.