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Ogden Police present Citizens Academy to Roy council; spring class starts March 6
Summary
Lori Frazier of the Ogden Police Department described a free seven‑week Citizens Academy that offers residents hands‑on demonstrations of policing functions. The program meets once weekly for three hours with a Saturday practical session; space is limited and applicants must pass a background check.
Lori Frazier, who previously worked for North Ogden Police and now assists the Ogden Police Department in running its Citizens Academy, described the program at the Roy City Council meeting on Feb. 18.
Frazier said the Citizens Academy is a free, seven‑week program that meets once a week for about three hours and includes one Saturday morning field exercise. She said the course exposes participants to SWAT, taser demonstrations, CSI procedures, jail visits and fire department operations so community members can "see what the officers go through" and better understand first‑responder duties.
Program details provided in the meeting: the academy runs in spring and fall; the spring session in 2025 starts March 6; the department accepts up to about 15 participants per session; applicants must be 18 and pass a background check; there is no cost to participants. Frazier said the program has had 13 completed courses since 2017 and that graduates have included local mayors, city council members, clergy, teachers and other community members.
Participants who spoke during the meeting described the experience as "eye opening" and said role‑playing and the practical Saturday exercises gave them a better appreciation for officer training and the stresses officers face. Frazier said the program uses assistance from agencies across the county, including Weber County and North Ogden, and named Officer Frawley and Trace Benson as longtime contributors.
Council members encouraged wider promotion; Frazier asked the council to include the program in city communications and noted that interested residents should contact Diana K. (Diana K. is the contact listed by the presenter) to begin the background check and application process.
Ending: Frazier said the department is accepting applications for the spring session and will run the academy again in the fall. The council asked staff to consider sharing the program information in city newsletters and social channels.
