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North Charleston Police Department presents Citizens Police Academy certificates, invites council to participate
Summary
The North Charleston Police Department presented certificates to graduates of a recent Hispanic Citizens Police Academy, described the programas an eight-week training designed to build trust and understanding between officers and residents, and invited city council members to participate in upcoming sessions.
Sergeant Lizzarozzi of the North Charleston Police Department presented certificates to graduates of the departmentHispanic Citizens Police Academy and invited city council members to take part in future sessions.
The program, which Sgt. Lizzarozzi said "started as a simple idea and has grown into a powerful tool for strengthening the bonds between our department and the communities we serve," runs eight weeks and includes classroom and hands-on modules. "Throughout our 8 week program, our graduates had the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and hands on, and experience," she said.
The academy curriculum listed by the department included case law, the use-of-force continuum, traffic stops, firearm safety and marksmanship, emergency vehicle operations, building clearance, force-on-force scenarios, procedural justice, a critical-incident module and community policing training. Sgt. Lizzarozzi thanked several staff members by name for organizing and instructing the class, citing Lieutenant Emick in the training division, the departmentcommunity liaison William Leon, a Spanish interpreter, and K-9 Officer Strata.
William Leon, identified in the meeting as the North Charleston Police Department community liaison, said the recent academy cohort was conducted in Spanish and emphasized inclusivity: "Just to mention that our academy that we just had, it was all Spanish speaking and we welcome anyone that speaks the language. Anyone that speaks Spanish is welcome to this academy as well." He also noted the department welcomes council participation.
Certificates were presented and the names of graduates were read into the record; the roll call of names in the transcript included German Cajamarca Pais, Liliana Garzone Valdez, Armando Rico and Lisa Andrea Morales Garcia among others. A department speaker closed the presentation by saying, "Mayor and City Council, this concludes our Hispanic Citizens Academy for North Charleston Police. Thank you, sir." The department asked council members to consider attending a future academy to strengthen connections with the community.
The presentation occurred during the regular council meeting; two members of the public later praised the Citizen Academy and urged its continuation during public comment.
