College of Charleston Launches Cougar Police Academy

The Department of Public Safety is offering faculty and staff a “behind the badge” view of campus law enforcement operations and techniques through its new Cougar Police Academy. The five-week academy is designed to enhance employees’ understanding of the systems that keep the campus community safe.

Held from 4–6 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Public Safety Headquarters (89 St. Philip St.) the individual sessions will cover the following topics:

• May 21: Patrol Operations, Communications
• May 28: Use of Force, Legal Considerations
• June 4: Weapons, Laser Range, Less-Than-Lethal Demos
• June 11: Participation in Active Aggressor Scenario
• June 18: Role of IT, Drone Operations, Participation in Crime Scene Demo

In addition to the class sessions, participants will a choose a time and date between May 28 and June 18 to ride along with a Public Safety officer. Graduation from the Cougar Police Academy will be held at 4 p.m. on June 25.

Although the inaugural academy is almost at capacity, Public Safety is taking names for its stand-by list; to apply, email Chief Chip Searson or Deputy Chief Rusty Myers!