Apply for Costa Mesa’s citizen’s police academy

The Costa Mesa Police Department will offer a free, 12-week citizen’s police academy to teach the public about its operations Feb. 19 through May 13.

Students will learn about patrol operations, traffic and criminal laws, helicopter operations, crime scene investigation and more from police department personnel. Participants will also get to schedule a ride-along in a patrol car during the course, meant to foster understanding of how the police department serves the community, organizers said.

Applications for the academy are available at www.ci.costa-mesa. ca.us/departments/academy.htm. Completed applications may be returned to the Costa Mesa Police Department, 99 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA., 92626 Attn: Fred Gaeckler. Call Sue Hupp at 714-754-5658 for more information.

— Brianna Bailey