I would like to express my appreciation to Chief Charles Hooker and the Pflugerville Police Department for accepting my wife and me to attend the Citizen’s on Patrol Class No. 17. It was really an eye opener to hear and see what the police officers do on a daily basis to protect and serve the residents of Pflugerville, and one of the most interesting parts of the program was that we were allowed to actually ride with a police officer on his/her tour of duty.

All of the instructors were very well-informed and kept our attention throughout their lectures. Sgt. Jason Smith, the COP coordinator, Mike Clowdus, Lt. Anderson, Dan Griffith, Mark Richardson, Tracy Whitehead, Ramon Perez, David Jester, Estaban Castilla and the dispatchers, are just a few of those brave men and women we came in contact with during our Academy training.

There is also a COP Alumni Association and the president, John Palacios, welcomed us as did Frank Hanson, who is a graduate of the Citizens on Patrol, Class No. 2. Mr. Hanson and Mr. Marvin Henderson have been helping with each class for a very long time.

For those who are not familiar with the COP program, it was created to reduce crime through increased cooperation between private citizens and the police department. After completing the Citizens Police Academy, volunteers may donate their time to observe and report suspicious and/or criminal activity in their neighborhoods. It was designed this way to increase the quality of life and provide a safer environment for the neighborhood residents. I must point out though that graduates of the Academy are not police officers but getting involved with assist the police department in helping reduce crime in neighborhoods. All of the duties that a volunteer completes saves a lot of money that would otherwise be paid for the overtime that an active duty officer would have to perform.

Sgt. Jason Smith is going to try and have another class beginning January 2010 so if anyone is interested, please give him a call at 251-4004 and request an application. It will be an experience you will not forget, and the best part of all is that it is free.

Pyatt Cook

Pflugerville