March 1 — Learning to serve and protect the community

Sumner residents can take classes from the Sumner Police Department and find out what goes on behind closed doors.

Andrew Hosford / of the Herald

Sumner residents wondering what they can possibly do to improve their community have the chance with the upcoming Citizen’s Academy program.

Hosted by the city’s police department, the 13-week class that connects the community to those who protect it begins on Mar. 7.

“It’s very informative for (residents) and at the same time it’s fun,” said Ryan Wyrwitzke, a police officer who helps organize and teach the classes.

Now in its fourth year, participants take classes ranging from civil law to an actual opportunity to drive a patrol car.

Wyrwitzke said the entire department is involved in teaching and demonstrating what exactly they do.

“It’s a chance for an officer to show the community what we do and how we do it,” he said.

After hearing rave reviews from a friend, Sumner resident Susan Bir signed up for the course.

She now recommends the class to anyone interested in what happens within the city.

“It is a great way to find out what goes on in the neighborhood,” she said.

Bir said she had never even been through the doors of the police department before the class let alone seen a SWAT team demonstration.

“It was very interesting to tour the police department and see what goes on,” Bir said.

She added that she is more comfortable contacting the police now and knows what is expected of her as a resident.

“The citizens of Sumner are incredible, they very much want to learn,” said Pamela Mandery, communications officer for the department.

It doesn’t hurt they also get to see a K-9 dog in action, practice on a shooting simulator and possibly visit the county jail.

Mandery said the course teaches the police just as much as the residents.

They get know to the needs of the community and what people expect of them.

“We learn from them what it really means to be a better police department,” she said.

A resident that knows how to properly report a crime and is comfortable doing so makes everyone’s lives easier, she said.

At the end of the course, students receive a certificate of completion proving their commitment to improving the community.

Mandery emphasized that completion of the program does not give residents the right to arrest suspected criminals.

“They get no enforcement power,” Mandery said.

Despite that, many of the graduates become volunteers, she added.