Benton Citizen's Police Academy for Women Now Accepting Applications

The Benton Police Department is gearing up for their annual citizen's police academy, which will be geared towards women's safety.

The eight-session program will include criminal investigation, patrol functions, narcotic investigation, school resource, crime prevention, traffic stop and gun range classes. There will also be a class focusing solely on women's safety issues and domestic violence investigations.

Any women ages 18 and older with no previous felony convictions on their record who is interested in attending the citizen's police academy may stop by the Benton Police Department at 114 S. East St., Suite 100, and fill out an application and release forms.

Classes begin on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and the application deadline is Friday, Sept. 28 at 5:00 p.m.

Benton police say they hope that by focusing on women's safety they can prevent them from becoming victims and enable them to handle themselves in a variety of situations they may encounter.

This is the 10th year the department has hosted the citizen's police academy.