The McAllen Police Department is now accepting applications for its 18th Citizens’ Police Academy.

Starting Aug. 15 and running through Oct. 16, the 10-week academy will meet every Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m.  There is no cost to apply and selected applicants must be 21 years of age or older; able to attend all classes; work or reside in McAllen; and turn in a completed application by July 26.

“The Citizens’ Police Academy is a program designed to provide the members of our community with a comprehensive introduction to the McAllen Police Department,” said McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.  “It is my belief that a community that knows its public safety resources is a safer community. Relationships that result from Citizen Police Academies have never been more important in our country than they are today. I encourage every member of our community to apply and find out more about how the McAllen Police Department works.”

Topics covered will include police firearms orientation; patrol procedures; police ride-along; juvenile law and procedures; and additional areas of police instruction.

Applications are available at the McAllen Police Department, 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd.; the Garza-Chavez Police Community Network Center, 2901 Olga Ave.; and the Northwest Police Community Network Center, 2800 Oxford Ave.

For more information, contact the McAllen Police Department Office of Community Affairs at 956-681-2120.