Des Plaines Citizen's Police Academy celebrates graduates

The Des Plaines Police Department hosted a Tuesday, November 12, 2013, Graduation Ceremony for participants of the ten week Citizen's Police Academy, held this fall at the Des Plaines Police Station, 1418 Miner Street.

The Citizen's Police Academy included sessions involving the shooting range, an Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Law overview, domestic violence, traffic stop/felony traffic stop practicals, ride-a-longs with a patrol officer, evidence collection, and many other topics.

Participants interacted with many Des Plaines Police Officers throughout the course, which culminated in the Graduation Ceremony at City Hall.

Before presenting each candidate with a certificate Police Chief William Kushner addressed the graduates on the value of community involvement.

Recapping a quote from Sir Robert Peel, accredited as the man responsible for the creation of the first modern professional police department -- the Metropolitan Police Force in London, Chief Kushner stated, “We only are able to police because the citizens allow us to.”