The Citizen’s Academy is a community police program started in May of 2001. The program offers comprehensive information on police operation policies and procedures. The mission of the program is to encourage cooperation and trust between citizens and the Albert Lea Police Department. This year’s participants were front row, from left, Michael Gordon, Betty Berg, John Bryand Jr. and Tessa Dye; second row, Officer Sy Vanthavong, Beth Olchefske, Keith Porter Sr., Rodney Steele, Kirstin Foyote-Hughes and Lt. Jeff Strom; and third row, Detective Ben Mortensen, Tim Wolfskill, Russ Benson and Officer Dan Schmitt. – Provided