The Pelham Police Department has announced plans for a Citizen’s Police Academy that will begin April 1.

This academy will serve as an opportunity for the Pelham Police to improve the relationship between the department and the citizens it serves.

The academy will also be an opportunity for the citizens of Pelham to learn about law enforcement and the Pelham Police Department, specifically.

Participants will have the opportunity to ride along with on-duty Pelham Police officers, while also getting to observe many exciting demonstrations from highly skilled Pelham Police specialty units, such as the Tactical Operations Unit, Crime Scene Investigators and the K-9 unit.

Other branches of the criminal justice system will also present important information to participants.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is tentatively scheduled to begin on April 1, and will meet once a week at 6:30 p.m. for approximately eight to 10 weeks.

The academy will be limited to 20 participants.

For more information, prospective candidates should contact Pelham Police Lt. Pete Folmar at 620-6474 between the hours of 3-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, or via e-mail at pfolmar@pelhamonline.com. Candidates must be residents of the city of Pelham, be at least 21 years of age and have no criminal record. Candidates must also complete an application, a liability waiver and submit to a background investigation. Candidates should be in reasonably good health and be able to perform minimally strenuous activities.

The deadline to apply is March 10.