Want A Closer Look At What It’s Like To Be A Bangor Cop? Check This Out.

If you ever wanted to know just what goes into being a Bangor cop, there's an opportunity you might want to take advantage of coming up next month.

Starting in October, and running for nine weeks, the City of Bangor is hosting a "Citizens Police Academy 2023."

According to the City's website, the program has a very specific purpose, and that's NOT to train citizens to become police officers, as one might think from the program's name.

"The Citizens Police Academy is designed to give participants a general overview of how our department functions and how we investigate and respond to various types of complaints. Class size is limited and will be filled on a first-come basis. Participants will not be trained as police officers."

According to Sgt. Jason McAmbley, Public Information Officer with the Bangor Police Department, the course will go over a wide range of information including what it is like to go on patrol, be part of a criminal investigation, handle a police K9, what the department does by way of community outreach, how evidence is collected, what it's like for Bangor's Special Response Team (SWAT) and what happens on the bomb squad.

"Beginning Tuesday, October 3rd, this free 9-week course will cover topics explaining what the police department does and why.

Students will learn about the hiring process, the police academy, the patrol, the detective, and the services division. There will be a class on evidence, interviews, and interrogations, the bomb team, the swat team, and our K9s will put on a demonstration."

Community Relations Officer Liz Ashe says space is limited for this round of classes, with only 20 applicants being accepted. So if you're interested in participating in the course, apply now.

Ashe says it's a great opportunity for Civic leaders, small business owners, neighborhood watch leaders, and concerned citizens to get great context and information on the process the Bangor PD goes through when protecting and serving the community.

The classes will mostly take place right at the Bangor Police Station, at 240 Main Street, however, there will be a few off-site class field trips, which they say will be planned in advance.

There is no cost to attend the program, although you do have to apply. Click here to do that. Folks who apply may want to be aware that your acceptance into the class will be subject to a background check, meaning if you have an extensive criminal history (if the cops know who you are for all the wrong reasons) you aren't likely to be accepted.

Want to know more about laws in Maine? Check out these laws about what you can and can't have as a pet!