Citizen’s Academy class graduates

Published 3:35 pm Saturday, May 13, 2017

: The 2017 class of the Albert Lea Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy graduated from the program May 8. The Citizen’s Academy is a community police program started in May 2001. The program offers comprehensive information on the Albert Lea Police Department’s operation policies and procedures. It is a free course, which includes an optional four-hour ride-along with a police officer on a tour of duty. The mission of the program is to forge cooperation and trust between citizens and the Albert Lea Police Department, according to a press release. The classes are instructed by members of the Albert Lea Police Department. Pictured, front row, are Thomas Westland, Eric Gulbrandson and Detective Ben Mortensen; second row are Jeff Draayer and Douglas Martin; third row, Beth Christensen, Mary Thompson and Cady Baseman; fourth row, Kendall Christensen, Wah Paw and Stephanie Schwan; fifth row, Cindy Anderson, Jennifer Sorlie and Lori Jimenez; and back row, Deputy Director JD Carlson and Lt. Jeff Strom. Not pictured is Sam Wilmes. - Provided