The Federal Way Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy, which will begin April 4.

The goal of the Citizens Police Academy is to create a better understanding and communication between citizens and police through education.

The intent is not to produce civilians trained in law enforcement but to help community members better understand the city’s police department.

This is an opportunity for Federal Way residents to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do.

As participants go through the academy, they gain a better understanding of the department’s decision-making processes, how and why policies are created as well as what an officer faces every day.

More importantly, people can determine for themselves how effective the department is in serving the community.

Citizens Police Academy is a two-way educational process. While citizens are learning what police officers do on a daily basis, officers hear about how citizens feel about issues.

The department gains an understanding of the concerns of residents and the perceptions they have of the police department.

The academy takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday for eight weeks, beginning April 4 and ending May 23.

Classroom sessions cover topics such as patrol operations, SWAT, K9 Unit, criminal investigations, crime prevention and more.

Anyone who wants to learn more about how the Federal Way Police Department operates is encouraged to apply. Preference is given to those living or working in the Federal Way city limits.

For more information, contact Lindsey Sperry, crime analyst and prevention specialist, at Lindsey.Sperry@cityoffederalway.com or 253-835-6707.