In an effort to give citizens a better understanding of how the Michigan State Police operates, the MSP Niles Post is offering a citizens’ academy beginning next month at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex.

Trooper Duwayne Robinson, of the Niles Post, said the eight-week academy would give people an opportunity to learn about the mission and operations of the MSP, understand the procedures troopers follow, increase awareness of law enforcement’s role in the community and, ultimately, to get to know the people who work at the Niles Post.

“At the end of the day we are all people,” he said. “We are men and women out there with families and homes. … We go to the same grocery store.

“We think this is an opportunity for us to reach out to the public and humanize law enforcement personnel.”

Registration for the academy will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex, which is located at 1600 Silverbrook Ave., in Niles.

After that, the academy will meet at 6 p.m. each Tuesday until mid-November.

People must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Robinson said each session would last approximately 90 minutes. Enrolled citizens will learn from field experts in the areas of patrol, dispatch, first aid, use of force, personal safety, crime prevention, traffic safety, the legal system, criminal investigations and drug awareness.

Also, Robinson said citizens would be introduced to members of the state police’s specialty teams, including K9 units and the accident reconstruction team.

Robinson said the Niles Post’s citizens’ academy is part of a statewide effort by the MSP to advance the development of a community policing philosophy and practice in communities.

“We want to make this a partnership with the citizens so that after the eight weeks is up they have a better understanding of us,” he said.

For more information, contact Robinson by phone at (269) 921-5698 or by email at robinsond14@michigan.gov.