GARDNER The Gardner Police Department recently graduated its 19th Citizens Police Academy class.
Over several weeks, the group learned about the inner workings of the department and its interactions with the court system through a variety of instructors, including Attorney Neil Smith, Gardner District Court First Justice Mark Goldstein and Assistant District Attorney Marc Dupuis. The students observed K9 demonstrations courtesy of Winchendon Officer Jim Wironen, Phillipston Officers Bill Chapman and Ray Jackson, and Petersham Officer Tim Wright.
Next up for the police department is the annual Junior Police Academy, which will begin during the last week of July. During the weeklong course, cadets ages 14 through 17 will be trained in physical fitness, traffic stops, K9 demonstrations and crime-scene preservation.