Local police departments are accepting applications for the 2015 Metro Police Academy.
Applicants must be 21 or older and must have a crime-free record. The course is free.
The eight-week course will begin Sept. 10 and last until Oct. 29. Classes will meet every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at the St. Cloud Police Department, a total of eight classes.
In Police Academies, participants learn about all phases of law-enforcement work and experience, sometimes firsthand, the many tasks undertaken daily in police work. Topics covered include laws, ethics, investigations, firearms, emergency driving and more.
Most graduates of the program express how surprised they were that police work is nothing like what is so often depicted in movies or TV shows.
Those who graduate from the Academy are not qualified to do police work, although they could choose to become volunteer Reserve officers.
The purpose of the Police Academy is educational only.
For an application, call or go to any local police department. Applications are also available to download from police-department websites.