Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Port Huron Police Department

Community members will have the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the Port Huron Police Department this spring. The Citizen’s Police Academy is set to take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday from March 16 to April 27.

The first class will take place in the Port Huron Police Department, located at 100 McMorran Blvd. The remaining classes will take place at the SC4 Applied Technology Center, room 145, located at 323 Erie St.

Sam Baker, the department's community service officer, said the program shows attendees the daily lives of police officers.

“It basically allows citizens to get more of a hands on, in-depth understanding of not just law enforcement, but more specifically Port Huron and our community,” he said.

People interested in the program can get applications at the Port Huron Police Department or www.porthuron.org.

For the first class, attendees will be given an introduction to the police department, including a tour of the facilities, equipment demonstrations and a break down of criminal law. Program material will be shown in a classroom setting and hands-on exercises.

“We really cover a lot of topics in regard to law enforcement,” Baker said.

Those topics include the different departments of the police department, evidence collections, crime scene reconstruction and traffic stops.

Baker said the program is a way to create an open dialogue between the community and police department.

Additionally, Baker said some people who attend become volunteers for the department.

“They offer wonderful things and are a fantastic representation of the community,” he said.

Sarah Murray was a student in the 2021 program and has since become a part of the volunteer program at the police department. She said she enjoyed working out in the community and learning more about law enforcement.

"It was really neat to see a whole new aspect of law enforcement," Murray said. "It was a huge eye opener."

Murray said she's always been interested in law enforcement. She works as a prevention specialist in Port Huron, and part of her job is to teach addiction treatment in the jail system. She said she joined the Citizen's Police Academy to learn new information that she could incorporate into her classes.

Murray said she would recommend the program to anyone interested in learning more about the police department. She said people should take the class before passing judgement on law enforcement.

Anyone 18 years or older can apply to the Citizens Police Academy. Applications are free and due Feb. 23. Participants do not have to be residents of Port Huron.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.