Press Release
September 19, 2013

Contact: Chief Robert L. Ticer
970-748-4040; rticer@avon.org

16 Community Members graduate from the First Eagle County Law Enforcement Latino Police Academy

Avon, CO--On Monday night, 16 community members graduated from the First Latino Police Academy hosted by the Avon Police Department, Eagle Police Department, Vail Police Department, and the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. The academy was the first ever Citizen’s Academy presented in Spanish in the County and is based off of the Citizen’s Academy Curriculum.

“I believe a key goal was met with the graduation of this first class. That goal was to strengthen community relations and build trust with law enforcement. This, in-turn, will have a positive effect in reducing crime throughout the county,” said Avon Police Chief Bob Ticer.

During the six night course, participants learned about the impacts of crime and how law enforcement and community members can forge true partnerships together to build safer communities. Members of the community learned many aspects of law enforcement operations to include crime scene investigations, DUI/traffic enforcement, domestic violence investigations and victim’s advocacy, court systems, jail operations, secure communities, community policing, and landlord/tenant issues.

“The Police Citizen’s Academy was a great experience. I’ve had the opportunity to learn very interesting things that police officers do on a daily basis just to protect us. I appreciate all the hard work they do to make this a safe community,” said academy graduate Brenda Torres. “The academy showed us that the police can be our friends and we can work together!”

Academy graduate Edgar Arroyo added, “the Citizen’s Academy is a genuine effort by the police department to bring the Hispanic community together with law enforcement and demystifies the erroneous believe that people sometimes have about them.”

Local Law Enforcement saw great success in this Spanish speaking Academy and plan to continue an annual course moving forward with this community policing model. Additionally, the Avon Police Department will be hosting their 5th Annual Citizen’s Police Academy beginning September 23, 2013.

For additional information on the Citizen’s Police Academy or the Latino Police Academy, contact the Avon Police Department at 970-748-4040and like them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AvonPolice

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