Palm Springs Police kick off community police academy amid crime concerns

The Palm Springs Police Department's Community Police Academy starts on September 25.

It's a free, interactive 12-session course that offers an inside look at the operations of the police department and is a step towards joining the Citizen’s On Patrol program according to Palm Springs Police Department.

This years academy comes at a time where the city is seeing more crime, with recent violent incidents including a stabbing at a Palm Springs apartment complex that left a man dead.

Lieutenant Gustavo Araiza, Palm Springs Police, said the department had no homicides last year, but that has changed.

"This year compared to last year, our homicides have gone up," Araiza said.

He said the program gives people the chance to learn more about law enforcement.

"It gives them an opportunity to get presentations that are in different divisions within the organization to see what Palm Springs is doing," Araiza said.

He said when people understand how things work, it builds trust.

"They're more receptive and more apt to come forward and report individual incidents."

The program has evolved since it first began several years ago, Araiza said.

"We've added more weeks," Araiza said. "We've noticed through all those years that we have generated a big volunteer group out of the individuals that have gone through the academy."

Stay with News Channel 3 for insights from a former participant in the program.