The Lawrence Police Department’s 17th Citizens’ Academy began Feb. 28 and ended Thursday. The class included 15 people – eight women and seven men.

“I thought it was really informative, and I think everyone should try to participate in something like that,” said Joel Macmillan, 27, manager of Lawrence’s two Yello Sub restaurants. “Overall it really helps community awareness. I thought it would be beneficial for me to know some of the ins and outs of the department so I could pass information along to my employees.”

Most of the academy took place in a classroom, but participants also were able to see close-up views of a squad car, the county’s dispatch center and watch a demonstration of traffic stop techniques.

Participants are encouraged to jump in with questions. For example, one class member asked a group of officers whether they would turn in a co-worker if they saw him smoking marijuana at a party. All said they would.

Other questions related to officers’ opinions about the concealed-firearm law (most said they were against it) and the impact the job has on officers’ personal lives.

Clyde May took the course because he plans to apply at LPD to become an officer.

“It showed more sides to the police than I’m used to seeing,” he said. “You can watch shows like ‘Cops’ and whatever they’ve got on Court TV or The Learning Channel. This is a little more in-depth.”

The department’s next Citizens’ Academy won’t happen until next year. The academy costs about $3,000 for the department to operate.