June 25, 2009 - Citizens Receive Training in Police Response Tactics; Citizen Corp Volunteers Statewide Enhance Skills to Assist Police Agencies

Contact: Sgt. Kevin Sweeney, MSP/EMHSD, (517) 719-1195

Agency: State Police

Who: Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) in partnership with the Michigan Citizen Corps Program

What: Host the Citizens Police Academy for volunteers registered with Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Neighborhood Watch (NW) and Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) programs

When: 3-5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2009

Participants will rotate through six stations:

• Laps around the MSP Drive Track
• Demonstration of the MSP Canine Unit
• Meet and greet with the MSP Emergency Support (ES) Team and Dive Team
• Meet and greet with the MSP Bomb Squad
• Tour of the MSP Training Academy
• Tour of the MSP Emergency Management and Homeland Security Training Center (hazardous materials training facility)

                         
Where:            Michigan State Police Training Academy
                        Drive Track (located on north side of complex)
                        7426 North Canal Road
                        Lansing, MI 48913

Why: The Citizens Police Academy provides participants with hands-on training to improve skills associated with their volunteer duties when assisting police agencies.  During the two-day academy, approximately 100 participants will learn about police ethics, crash reconstruction, evidence collection, traffic control, witness recognition and Citizen Corps program training techniques.

NOTE: See attached list of cities with participants attending the Citizens Police Academy and background information on CERT, NW and VIPS.

Citizens Police Academy - Cities with Participants Attending:

*Multiple participants attending

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) - Prepares citizens to help themselves, their family and their neighbors in the event of an emergency.  During an emergency situation, emergency service personnel may not be able to reach everyone right away.  By being CERT trained, volunteers have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property.  As a member of a CERT team, citizens can respond to emergencies, participate in drills and exercises, and take additional emergency preparedness training.  CERT teams are known and trusted resources to emergency responders and their communities. 

Neighborhood Watch - Incorporates terrorism awareness education into its existing crime prevention mission, while also serving as a way to bring residents together to focus on emergency preparedness and emergency response training.  Funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriffs' Association.

Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) - Works to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers.  VIPS serves as a gateway to resources and information for and about law enforcement volunteer programs. Funded by the DOJ, VIPS is managed and implemented by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

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