Anyone who has ever wanted to experience a day in the life of a Selma police officer will have that chance very soon.

The Selma Police Department is offering a Citizens Police Academy, which runs from May 2 to June 20. The course is designed to educate members of the community about the various roles of the police department, introduce them to the law enforcement community and give an inside look at how the department operates on a daily basis.

In a release from the department, Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley said there will be a broad range of duties outlined during the classes.

“Participants will be presented with a variety of topics including recruiting and training, investigation, narcotics, crime scene, patrol, field training officer programs, internal affairs, community relations, school resource officers and pals,” he said. “The sessions are designed so that the participants get involved asking questions and doing hands on activity.”

A tour of the department will also be included in the first session.

The sessions will be held every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the department’s in-service training room.

Applicants must be 21 or older, live or work in the police jurisdiction, and cannot have any prior misdemeanor arrests or convictions.

There are no physical requirements or costs, but applicants must attend each session in order to graduate.

In addition to the classroom instruction, one week will be dedicated to participants taking part in a ride-a-long with a patrol officer working the streets.

Interested persons can obtain applications at the department and turn them in by April 11.

For more information, call Lt. Tommy Weber at 874-5261.