Springfield, Mass. (WGGB) — Wednesday night the 34th class entered Springfield’s Citizen Police Academy.

It’s a 10 week public safety course on Wednesday evenings at the city’s Public Safety Complex at 1212 Carew Street.

Kathleen Brown, the Community Police Liaison, told us, “They’re going to be learning about the structure of the police department, the detective bureau, how we investigate crimes, the guns, gangs, drugs, how to protect themselves, domestic violence, they’re going to be learning about how to empower themselves to take back their community and how to become leaders in their community.”

Resident Vernon Griffin says, “I’ll probably be able to give someone else a little more understanding about what the police force is all about.”

If you are interested in enrolling in the course, contact Kathleen Brown at 413-787-6359.

The program runs twice a year.