FLORENCE, Ky. — The Florence Police Department is teaching the community how to do their job, in a way.

Once a week for eight weeks, citizens and officers come together to discuss various topics and techniques used in law enforcement.

“Last week it was the coroner’s office one of our detectives talked about his cases, then the drug investigation. And then tonight we do crime scene and self defense,” said Patrick Cottingham, a community resource officer with the Florence Police Department.

Cottingham said the course is just a small part of their jobs and the police academy.

From self-defense to crime scene analysis, citizen academy participants learn what officers do and why they do it, all with the goal of engaging the community.

“They can go into the community and be ambassadors,” Cottingham said. “Anything we can do to build that connection with the community and work together is a good thing.”

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Participants told us that this experience opened their eyes to the reality of law enforcement.

“I already admire the police, but I have an even greater appreciation for them and everything they do for the community,” said Citizens Academy participant Luciey Cummins.

Cottingham said the academy has been successful, noting that several people have become department volunteers or even gone through the real police academy.

He said it is also helpful within his own local government.

“We had a new city council member come through the academy and she got to learn what we do and why we do it, which really helped the relationship between her and our chiefs,” Cottingham said.

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Officers say they also learn from the academy. By asking participants questions, they learn what the community wants to see and what they think about certain aspects of the job.

The academy is free for anyone who wants to attend. Their next session will be held in the spring and will be posted online and on Facebook when registration opens.