The Village of Chenequa, the City of Delafield, the Village of Hartland, and the Village of Pewaukee Police Departments, along with the Lake Country Fire and Rescue Team, are hosting an upcoming ‘Lake Country Citizens Academy’. The Academy is planned to be held as a ten week course that meets ever Wednesday evening between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The course will hold its first session on March 12 and run through May 14.

The course is set to educate and inform the locals of Lake Country so that they have the proper knowledge to keep themselves and their communities safe. According to the Departments sponsoring the event, some of the topics covered will include:

• Drugs and impairment
• Identity theft
• Computer crimes
• Use of force
• Emergency vehicle operations
• Fire and EMS
• S.C.I.T. (SWAT team)
• Crime scene investigation
• Critical incident response
• Dispatch tour
• CPR training
• Scenario based learning

The purpose of the class series is to allow residents of Lake Country to better understand how their local Fire and Police Departments operate through personal interaction. The Academy is not offering any kind of certification but rather provides an opportunity to engage with important information. Attendees should not expect to have to participate in any kind of physical training through the duration of the course. Additionally, the Academy will not charge a feee to anyone eager to attend. The course is being taught for the betterment of the community. The Departments sponsoring and assisting in the course are inviting all interested participants to submit their applications by March 2.

Citizens’ understanding of how their local Police Departments operate can be incredibly helpful in case of emergency situations. For example, the knowledge of how to perform CPR may help an individual in an incredibly urgent and time sensitive circumstance. For example, if someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, the proper and immediate administration of CPR can be extremely beneficial. According to medical research, “Performing CPR within the first few seconds of a cardiac arrest can double or triple the likelihood of survival. “

The Academy also helps build community trust between citizens and Lake Country residents. Several different Departments throughout Waukesha County are participating in the event, meaning that attendees will have the chance to get to know their local Fire and Police officers. Building community bonds between officials and residents creates a stronger, safer relationship. Transparency in government operations can help build trust. Many studies have suggested that “Positive police-community relationships are essential to maintaining public safety and order. These relationships help to reduce fear and biases, and build mutual understanding and trust between the police and community.”