WESTFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT 12th Citizen’s Police Academy Syllabus (6:00 PM – 9:00PM)

Monday, October 6, 2008:  Introduction, History of the Westfield Police Department and Department tour with Officer Mark Carboneau and Dispatcher Peter Cowles                                                                                                                                                         

Class Description:  Officer Carboneau will introduce you to the Westfield Police Department and give you a history of the department from its beginning years to present.  He will then take you on a tour of the facility from the booking room, detective bureau, jail cells to the crime lab.  See the changes that have occurred.  Then step into the modern technology of our dispatch system with Dispatcher Peter Cowles.  He will show you how the 911 system works and how a cruiser is dispatched.

Monday, October 13, 2008: Criminal Law & The Justice System with Officer Thomas Desharnais.                                                                                      

Class Description:  Officer Desharnais will explain the basic criminal laws and the justice system which we as police officers deal with on a daily basis.  Ask questions that you have always wanted to ask.  This class is very informative.
                                                                                                              

Monday, October 20, 2008: Financial Crime & Fraud with Detective Todd Edwards.

Class Description:  One of the most rising crimes occurring Detective Todd Edwards will teach you how to protect yourself against identity fraud while showing you the latest financial crimes.

Monday, October 27, 2008: Patrol Procedures with Officers Brian Freeman and Steve Gonklik.

Class Description:  Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer and wonder why or what he is doing?  Officers Brian Freeman and Steve Gonklik will answer all your questions. You will experience pulling over someone and approaching the car.  You actually get to ask for “License and registration”                                                                                                                                                                                         

Saturday, November 1, 2008 (8:30AM): Pre-shoot safety class Firing range (9:00 AM) K-9 and SRT program ***Lunch Break*** with Officer Mark Carboneau, members from the community police unit and special response team.                                                                                             

Class Description:  This is the highlight of the class!! You will learn about   firearm safety with Lt. Paul Kousch and other members of the SRT.  You will then be transported to the Westfield Sportsmen’s Club to shoot the same weapons the Westfield Police Department does.  You will watch a felony car stop unfold in front of you and then enjoy pizza with other police officers.

Monday, November 3, 2008: Defensive Tactics & Use of Force with Officers Tony Tsatsos and Todd Edwards.

Class Description:  This class you will get to learn certain defensive tactics and the use of force continuum.  You will also get to use some of the tools that are available to a police officer.  Officer Tsatsos and Detective Edwards will explain how these tools and moves can save your life.

Monday, November 10, 2008: Community Policing and SRO programs with Sgt. Steve Dickinson, Officers Tracy Ploof and James Summers.

Class Description:  Learn what problem-solving is all about and actually help the Westfield Police Department solve a problem with Sgt. Dickinson.  Take a ride back in time to the Westfield High School and the Westfield Vocational High School with Officers Ploof and Summers.  See the challenges they face each day in the Westfield public school system. 

Monday, November 17, 2008: Child Abuse and Domestic Violence with Detective Sue Figy and Westfield’s Domestic Violence Coordinator Donna Suckau.                                                           

Class Description: Step into the dark world of domestic violence and child/family abuse with Detective Figy and how the mess is cleaned up by Donna Suckau.

Monday, November 24, 2008: Drug Identification/Crime Scene with Detective Sgt. Alex Baginski and Detective Carl Girouard

Class Description: Welcome to the world of undercover police work. Welcome to the world of undercover police work.  Detective Sgt. Baginski and Detective Girouard will show you what is the drug of choice in Westfield and other drugs bought and sold here in Westfield and surrounding towns. Detective Sgt. Baginski and Detective Girouard will show you what is the drug of choice in Westfield and other drugs bought and sold here in Westfield and surrounding towns.
                                                                                                                Monday, December 1, 2008: Court System, Probation and Parole with various members of the court system tba.                                                                 

Class Description:  Did you ever want to know why certain criminals are out on the street and why the jails are full?  What happens to those who are in the Westfield police log?  Well here is your opportunity to ask and find out with members from our court system.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Monday, December 8, 2008: Code Enforcement with Officer Harry Sienkiwicz & Class Review with Sgt. Steve Dickinson.                                                                               

Class Description:  Officer Harry Sienkiwicz will explain his fairly new position in the Westfield Police Department as the Code Enforcement Officer working hand in hand with the Building Department. This will also be a week of reviewing all the previous 10 weeks and asking questions.   

Monday, December 15, 2008: Closing Ceremony & Graduation dinner at Westwood. Enjoy the atmosphere and food with your classmates and other members of the Westfield Police Department as we talk about your 11 weeks of class and remember the good times.

There are still seats available.  SO COME ON DOWN!!!! Applications are available on this web site or in the Dispatch area of the Westfield Police Department.                                                                                                                                            

THE 3rd ADVANCED CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY WILL COMMENCE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008, FROM 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008: Traffic / Radar and Code Enforcement with Officers Richard Rix.

Class Description:  You will learn the different weapons the police use to combat speeding and other traffic issues.  Officer Rix will go over motor vehicle law and traffic issues unique to Westfield. 

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 : Defensive Driving with Officers Jodi Millett, Brian Freeman and Sgt. Jerome Pitoniak.

Class Description:  Ever wanted to drive a police cruiser?  Wonder how it feels to speed with lights and siren on?  Well in this class these fine instructors will teach you how to drive defensively and then allow you to drive a Westfield police cruiser through an obstacle course.     

Wednesday, October 15, 2008: C.S.I. with Detectives Brian Fanion and Kevin Swords.

Class Description: Blood spatter and fingerprinting sound interesting to you?  Detectives Kevin Swords and Brian Fanion Westfield’s own crime scene investigators will show you how to determine blood spatter and take fingerprints.  You will dist for fingerprints and help solve a crime.

Saturday, October 18, 2008: Shooting at Smith & Wesson range in Springfield with Officer Mark Carboneau and other members of Westfield’s Special Response Team.

Class Description: This is always the highlight of this class.  You and other members of the Westfield Police Department will go to Smith & Wesson Armory in Springfield and shoot at their range.  After shooting you will be able to shop at the Smith & Wesson Store.  

Wednesday, October 22, 2008: Tour of Hampden County Jail with Sgt. Steve Dickinson.

Class Description: This is a very interesting tour where you will go behind bars with actual prisoners and see what Hampden County Sheriffs are doing to stop recidivism.                                                                                                                                           

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: CPR Training with Sgt. Jerome Pitoniak and Officers Joe Maxton and Eric Hall.

Class Description: This class you will be certified to give CPR.  Dress comfortable because you will be up and moving around.                                                                                                                                           

Wednesday, November 5, 2008: Tour of State Police Academy with Officer Kevin Bard.

Class Description:  Officer Bard will transport you to New Braintree, Ma. To visit the Massachusetts State Police Academy.  This tour will provide you with information on how the State Police train and give you an opportunity to ask questions you always wanted to ask the State Police like why they speed in the inside lane.                                                                                                                                          

Wednesday, November 12, 2008: Tour of Department of Youth Services Westfield with Officer Steve Gonklik.

Class Description: This tour is very informative.  You will travel with Officer Gonklik to East Mountain Road and tour the facility there.  Learn what youth services provide and who they house there.                  

Wednesday, November 19, 2008: Scenario Training with Sgt. Steve Dickinson and other members of the police department.

Class Description:  This will be a week of reviewing all the previous 10 weeks and asking questions.                                                                                                                                              

Wednesday, December 3, 2008: Explosive Training with Officer Dan Gustafson.

Class Description: Officer Dan Gustafson will show you some of his expertise in the field or ordinance.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008: 6-9PM Graduation ceremony at Westwood. Come celebrate your dedication and hard work with the Westfield Chief of Police and other members of the Westfield Police Department as we eat together and discuss the events of the last few weeks.

    *****Throughout the 11 weeks we will plan ride-alongs for everyone.

Applications are available on this web site or in the dispatch area of the Westfield Police Department.