The Farmville Police Department is inviting citizens to apply for the Farmville Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy, which will begin in March.

According to a press release, the academy will consist of nine sessions on Thursday nights beginning March 3 and ending April 28. The classes will start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.

“The goal of the academy is to provide citizens with a general knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the Farmville Police Department, all in an effort to enhance our abilities to better serve them and the community,” the release stated.

Academy sessions will provide information on topics including hiring and training, uniform operations, special operations, traffic enforcement and radar, criminal law, investigations, forensics and courtroom testimony.

There will be classroom portions and practical exercises. “Citizens will also be encouraged to complete a ride along with a Farmville police officer during this academy,” according to the release.

The academy is open to citizens who reside in Farmville, Prince Edward or Cumberland, citizens who work in the town of Farmville or are a member of a civic organization in the Farmville.

The academy will be limited to 20 students, according to the release.

“Citizens interested in attending can pick up an application at the police department or by visiting the police department website at www.farmvilleva.com and navigating via the police department tab. The deadline for applications is Feb. 2. Applications will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.”

For more information on the academy, contact Det. Sgt. C.W. Moss at the Farmville Police Department at (434) 392-2109 or e-mail cmoss@farmvilleva.com.