Citizens Police Academy - Register Now

The DPPD will be offering the Citizen Police Academy starting on Monday, January 24th at the Police Shooting Range (DP Public Works building - 1111 E Schwab Rd.). 

For 8 weeks, the Citizen Police Academy will meet on Monday evenings from 7-9pm and will cover topics including:

• DPPD police officer hiring process
• SWAT Team hostage and barricade scenarios
• Detective methods for solving crimes
• Evidence processing (think CSI but real...)
• Weapon handling and safety

Participants will take part in classroom training, open discussion, multimedia presentations, and hands-on-training which includes patrol ride-a-longs and live weapon handling at the shooting range.  Anyone interested in joining the Citizens on Patrol program must complete the Citizen Police Academy. Attendees must be 21 years old with no criminal background. 

Interested participants can contact Chris Terrazzino at (847) 391-6122 for more information. 

City Council Meeting: 10/20/10

This special meeting of the City Council included a number of important budget outcomes.  The $1.2 million fire truck was not approved; instead the current truck will be repaired as-needed for 2011.  

I made a motion to cut 10% from the overtime budgets from the Public Works, Fire, and Police Departments.  This overtime is used for special projects, call-backs resulting from injuries, and storm events.  I argued that reducing the overtime budgets would force department heads to find efficiencies within their departments, as the alternative funding would no longer be as accessible.  This proposal evolved into a cut for PW and Fire and the resulting savings should amount to over $100,000.  My amended motion passed and the reductions were recorded.  

Alderman Argus proposed the elimination of $20,000 budgeted for tuition reimbursements.  I argued that our most valuable assets are our employees.  Investment in their continued development can only improve the quality of City services.  Additionally, this benefit makes us competitive in a marketplace when many employers offer tuition reimbursements.    

The final budget hearing is set for Monday, October 25th in City Hall.  

Self Defense & Fire Ops Photos

            DP 101: Self Defense                           Fire Ops 101 

This fall has been full of public safety training and education for aldermen and ward residents.  Take a look at a recent Des Plaines 101 ward meeting where DPPD officers taught a self defense class.  A number of DP elected officials joined others from throughout the NW Suburbs to learn about the Fire Service at a NIPSTA training.