Grapevine Citizen's Police Academy

[WarHawk-AVG]

There is one in Baytown, TX as well

[hi-power]

Make sure you ask the person in charge if you're CHL will allow you to carry while participating in their program.
I would be surprised if they allow firearms to be carried by non LE personel at ANY time.

The Grapevine PD building also has a court on the second floor, so we couldn't carry during the program anyway.

A personal reason for joining this academy is that I want to know where the department stands on CHL'ers. The only CHL shooting I've heard of in Grapevine happened in 1998 and it ended up being no-billed, so it was ultimately judged a good shooting. I've read written accounts of Grapevine PD's actions just after the shooting and did not like what I read. The Chief has since retired and been replaced by one who came from a much larger department, (Ft. Worth PD), and has started community programs like ths one.

The Sgt. running the program told us the first night: "We know there are a couple of people in here with CHL's and we support that, but you cannot carry in here because we have the court upstairs."

I would have liked it if the Chief said he supports us, but he didn't mention it at all when he spoke to us. However, the first night was not the time to jump on him and get his stance on CHL'ers, but I expect to ask him directly before the academy is done.

This program was designed for the community to take some of the mystery and possibly apprehension out of our local police department. Hopefully I can have some positive influence if anyone in the department feels the same about CHL'ers.

We'll see how it goes.

[LedJedi]

for anyone interested, I believe this is the information for the Pasadena Texas program: http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/police/sup ... es/cpa.htm

[iflyabeech]

and the link for Corpus:

http://www.ccpolice.com/?fuseaction=main.view&page=2359

[tomc]

The Sgt. running the program told us the first night: "We know there are a couple of people in here with CHL's and we support that, but you cannot carry in here because we have the court upstairs."

I read 46.03 as "in any government court or offices utilized by the court" meaning in the actual physical space the court exists in, no more, no less. That would be on the second floor of the building, not the first. Am I reading 46.03 correctly, or are the police expanding the space to include the first floor also?

[hi-power]

The Sgt. running the program told us the first night: "We know there are a couple of people in here with CHL's and we support that, but you cannot carry in here because we have the court upstairs."

I read 46.03 as "in any government court or offices utilized by the court" meaning in the actual physical space the court exists in, no more, no less. That would be on the second floor of the building, not the first. Am I reading 46.03 correctly, or are the police expanding the space to include the first floor also?

Good question...I always assumed it meant the entire building just as I think the definition for school means the entire building, even if only a portion is defined as the actual school.

[soccerguy59]

Allen has one as well

[Humanphibian]

I am scheduled for the CPA class in North Richland Hills starting this thursday. I am gonna have to re-schedule it though... I have a new teen in my home (CPS placement) and he has football on Thursdays, so the family thing is gonna be the priority for now.

maybe next time...

[pistolchamp]

I have been trying to find one in or near Texarkana with no success. Any info will be appreciated.

Texarkana is an Indian word meaning "cultural vacuum".

[hi-power]

Resurrecting this old thread to update it...

I luckily haven't missed a class yet, but my wife missed the Saturday range outing. We thoroughly enjoy going to classes every Thursday night and learning way too many things we didn't know before.

We've seen dispatchers take 911 calls and how they handle those. (By the way, if anyone is interested in dispatching, Grapevine PD is hiring. They'll train you).

We've learned about the Force Continuum and all the rules that an LEO has to follow in order to use enough force to subdue a criminal, but not be considered excessive, with those decisions being made in the matter of a few seconds.

We've heard from detectives about notable cases they've worked on, seen videos of interrogations, (one in particular that has been shown on a national TV program). We've seen crime scene photos and how investigators piece together the clues to determine what happened.

The first half of last night's class was about forensic computer investigations and how it's used against sexual predators. The second half was about identity theft. A real eye-opener there.

But I guess my favorite so far was at the police range shooting a semi-auto handgun, a revolver, a shotgun with slugs, a Bushmaster AR-15, and finally an H&K MP-5 on full auto. We have another range day before the end of the 14-week academy and I'm already looking forward to it again.

You can probably tell I'm a little excited about doing this. I'll recommend it again to those that have this type of program in their home-towns. It's a lot of fun!

[Venus Pax]

That sounds like so much fun. I'll check out Harris County Sheriff's Office website & see if we county people have any access to something like that.

[Skiprr]

That sounds like so much fun. I'll check out Harris County Sheriff's Office website & see if we county people have any access to something like that.

Venus: the Harris County's Sheriff's Department does have a citizens police academy. I learned of it last year, but was too late to attempt to register. My understanding is few slots for a lot of applicants. It's just about the time of year I think we should be looking to apply.

If I remember correctly, there is no specific info on their website. I think it deserves a phone call...which I'll do on Monday and post the info here (unless you beat me to it). One important thing I need to ask them is if there is a maximum age limit. Sigh. I never thought I'd get to that point, but someday you will, too!

[jimlongley]

I am participating in Allen's CPA this fall, but we do not get to shoot.

[elwood blooz]

That sounds like so much fun. I'll check out Harris County Sheriff's Office website & see if we county people have any access to something like that.

Venus: the Harris County's Sheriff's Department does have a citizens police academy. I learned of it last year, but was too late to attempt to register. My understanding is few slots for a lot of applicants. It's just about the time of year I think we should be looking to apply.

If I remember correctly, there is no specific info on their website. I think it deserves a phone call...which I'll do on Monday and post the info here (unless you beat me to it). One important thing I need to ask them is if there is a maximum age limit. Sigh. I never thought I'd get to that point, but someday you will, too!

I have gone through Harris County's program several years ago. Each district within Harris County has they're own program schedule. My wife and I enjoyed the class.

Here is a contact through the Alumni,

Deputy Virgie Hart

281-615-1439
VHart@itc.co.harris.tx.us

[KD5NRH]

If they do a role play with the cops playing the citizens and vice versa, do you think they'll let me play DPD Sgt Michael "Itchy Trigger Finger and Missing Paperwork" Smith?