UNDATED -- St. Cloud area police departments are accepting applications for the 2017 class of the Metro Citizens Police Academy.

Police departments involved are:

The academy is an eight-week course designed to give citizens and local non law-enforcement government employees a chance to experience first-hand many areas of police training.

The classes closely follow the training that police officer candidate's experience, however these classes in no way are meant to train or promote citizens to act in a law enforcement capacity.

Area police are seeking a diverse group of applicants who have questions related to the use and application of force, and arrest procedures. Applicants critical of law enforcement response, and those skeptical of current practices are encouraged to apply.

Classes will start September 7th and run for eight weeks until October 26th from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. They will be held at various departments and locations throughout the academy.

If you'd like to apply, you must be 21-years-old, with no criminal record and reside within the city limits of one of the departments listed above. Applications can be found online, or from the departments themselves.

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