Citizens Police Academy ends first session
Twelve residents became honorary members of the Bella Vista Police Department last week as the first-ever Bella Vista Citizens Police Academy came to a close. The graduates will become community ambassadors between the police and Bella Vista residents.
While the exact duties of those ambassadors has yet to be locked down, one graduate said that the most important thing he took away from the 10-week experience is a newfound respect for what the police do on a dayto-day basis.
Dylan Shaddox, at 23, was the youngest participant in the academy, which featured four women and eight men of varying ages and backgrounds. Shaddox, a Walgreens employee, said that he became interested in the classes after he was told it could give him a closer look into life as a police officer.
“I’ve always had an interest in police work,” he said. “With all of the negativity toward police lately, I wanted to see what really went on. I was hoping to get an understanding of their side.”
The first session of the academy was something of an experiment for the Police Department, which had never attempted this level of community partnership. Capt. Tim Cook said that the academy will continue in the fall due to its success.
“We actually had a few people on the waiting list,” said Police Chief Ken Farmer. “We purposefully kept the first one small because we’re learning this as we go along.”
Farmer said that one purpose of the academy was to develop community volunteers. “Hopefully we’ll work our way toward that,” he said.
Mayor Peter Christie suggested the academy early into his term. He said that would allow for a greater level of communication between residents and the police.
That level of camaraderie had an effect on Shaddox, who said that he felt much closer to the local police force.
“I learned just what they have to go through each day,” he said. “One minute they’re responding to silly calls about a cat stuck in a tree or a sick raccoon, and the next they’re responding to a domestic violence call. It’s really hard on them because they never know what they’re getting into.”
"With all of the negativity toward police lately, I wanted to see what really went on. I was hoping to get an understanding of their side."
Dylan Shaddox Bella Vista resident
Activities in the academy ranged from target practice at a shooting range, a mock trial at the Benton County District Courthouse, and a tour of the Benton County Jail.
For Shaddox, one of the most impactful sessions was a four-hour ridealong. Christie agrees that a ride-along helps empathize with police officers.
“It’s amazing how different it is when you get down to the grass roots,” Christie said. “On three occasions I’ve been sitting with an officer … The officer is driving, listening to the radio, trying to concentrate, keeping the speed up in an emergency … To live and feel that kind of adrenaline burst in that experience helps you understand what police officers go through.”
Shaddox said his takeaway is his now-close relationship with police.
“The BVPD is the nicest police department I have ever met,” he said. “I want to thank Chief Farmer and Captain Cook for giving us this opportunity.”
The fall session of the Citizens Police Academy begins this September. Interested parties can apply in person at the police department or at www.bellavistaar.gov/citizens-police-academy.