Briefs: Des Plaines police host citizen academy

The Des Plaines Police Department will be offering the fall session of the Citizen Police Academy starting at 7 p.m. Sept. 17, at the Police Neighborhood Resource Center, 1928 E. Touhy Ave., Des Plaines.

The Citizen Police Academy, which is free of charge, is held on ten consecutive Mondays, and allows attendees to learn about the various operations of the Police Department. Classes, which typically run about two hours in length, cover a variety of subjects. Learn what it takes to be hired as a police officer, find out how the SWAT team handles hostage and barricaded subject situations, and discover what methods detectives use to solve a crime.

For details, call Ana Holthouse at (847) 827-2647.

Get in shape for family bike ride

The Mount Prospect Police Department and the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission, the Mount Prospect and River Trails Park Districts are hosting the annual Mount Prospect Family Bike Ride beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at Melas Park in Mount Prospect. The ride is 10 miles through Mount Prospect streets. Participants may also choose the 1.25 mile option as well. The first 500 participants will receive free T-shirts and goodie bags. A free raffle will follow the race. Pre-registration is highly recommended but can also be done on the day of the event. Register at River Trials Park District, 1500 E. Euclid Ave., or Rec Plex, 420 W. Dempster St. Call (847) 870-5656.