Yuma Police Department holding annual Citizens Academy

The event lasts for 12 weeks, with participants getting to drive cop cars, help train K-9 units and learn all about local law enforcement - 13 On Your Side's Luis Lopez reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - If you’ve ever wanted the experience of being a cop without actually being a cop, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) has just the thing for you.

YPD's annual Citizens Academy is back. It’s a 12-week program teaching locals about police work, including traffic stops and DUI's.

They also get hands-on experiences, like driving police vehicles and even putting on a bite suit to help train K-9 units

YPD Sergeant Lori Franklin says the event is a chance for the department to educate citizens on how they operate.

"It’s just giving them a feel of what we and why we do it, and again, total transparency, you want the hard questions answered, ask it to us,” Franklin said.

Each class has about 14 people, providing a wide range of participants.

“You know we have people join from wanting to become a police officer to just wanting to know what the police department does, to try and say 'hey you know well we just want to see what you guys do, how can we support you,'” Franklin said.

Now if this is something you may be interested in, the event will be back next year.