Dalton Police Blog

Citizens Police Academy Graduation

Members of Dalton's 16th Citizens Police Academy were honored during a graduation ceremony Tuesday night at Ryman Hall. Over the past 10 weeks, participants were given an inside look into the police department with information about crime scene processing, firearms, and use of force.  The graduates were also given an opportunity to ride with an officer for an entire shift.  The next Academy will be in the Spring of 2009.  For information about the Citizens Police Academy, you can contact Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 or by email at mdyer@cityofdalton.com.

Chief Jason Parker speaks to the graduating class

Academy participant accepting graduation certificate

Citizens Police Academy graduates

Citizens Police Academy: Week 10

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their tenth week of classes.  Academy participants learned about our school resource officers and the service they provide to Dalton Middle School and Dalton High School.  Members of the Citizens Police Academy also learned about criminal procedure.

School Resource Officer Terry Smith speaks to members of the academy

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy: Week 9

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their ninth week of classes.  Academy participants got a chance to work with the Firearms Training Simulator (FATS).  The FATS system is used by officers for training purposes.  It is an interactive system that enables officers to make "shoot - don't shoot" decisions in a controlled training environment.  It allows officers the opportunity to practice their verbal direction, use of cover, weapon handling and observation skills.

Officer Chris McDonald explains the FATS system to an academy participant

An academy participants takes part in a FATS training scenario

Citizens Police Academy: Week 8

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their eighth week of classes.  Academy participants learned about crime scene investigations.  Participants also had the opportunity to see inside the police department's crime scene van.

Academy participants inside the police department's crime scene van

Detective Mack Flood discussing crime scene investigating

Citizens Police Academy: Week 7

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their 7th week of classes.  Academy participants got some hands on experience with the various weapons carried by Dalton Police Department officers. 

Participants had the opportunity to fire the department's duty pistol, the Sig P229, the Remington 870 shotgun, and a Colt AR-15 rifle carried by selected officers.

Officer Chris McDonald assisting an academy participant on the firing range

Academy participants at the firing range

Citizens Police Academy: Week 6

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their sixth week of classes.  Academy participants heard from District Attorney Kermit McManus and were given a tour of the Whitfield County Jail.

District Attorney Kermit McManus speaks to the class

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy: Week 5

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their fifth week of classes.  Topics discussed included information about professional standards at the police department and the department's traffic unit.  A TASER demonstration was also given for academy participants.

Officer Ricky Long speaking to academy participants

Officers taking part in TASER demonstration

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy: Week 4

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their fourth week of classes.  Topics discussed included information about our drug unit and drug issues affecting Dalton.  Academy participants also heard from our chaplains and learned about the services they provide to the department.

Sergeant Larry Smedley speaks to the class

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy: Week 3

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their third week of classes.  Topics discussed included information about our Criminal Investigation Division and detectives.  Academy participants also heard from our investigators about how the department handles gang issues.

Sergeant Truman Whitfield speaks to the class

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy: Week 2

Members of the Citizens Police Academy met Tuesday night for their second week of classes.  Topics discussed included information about the department's Patrol Division and Situational Response Unit.  Academy participants also heard about the department's recruiting process and how polygraphs work.

Academy participants learning about the basic duties of patrol officers

Recruiting Officer & Polygraph examiner Ken Brooks speaking to the class

Citizens Police Academy participants

Citizens Police Academy Begins

The 16th Citizens Police Academy began Tuesday night. This year's class of 16 students will get the opportunity to learn about all the different parts of the Dalton Police Department and how each division works.  On Tuesday night, the class was given a brief introduction by Sergeant Mike Dyer.  The students also heard from Chief Jason Parker and were given a tour of the Police Services Center.  Over the next 10 weeks, each participant in the academy will get the chance to ride along with a patrol officer on his or her shift.  Participants will also get the chance to see and use some of the equipment used by officers on a daily basis, including firearms.

Chief Jason Parker speaking to academy participants

This year's academy participants

Sgt. Mike Dyer speaking to academy participants

16th Citizens Police Academy Starts February 26, 2008

The Dalton Police Department is set to begin its 16th Citizens Police Academy for 2008.  The academy classes will begin February 26^th and will give participants the opportunity to learn about all the different parts of the Dalton Police Department and how each division works.  The academy also provides each participant a chance to ride along with a patrol officer on his or her shift, and gives participants the chance to see and use some of the equipment used by officers on a daily basis, including firearms.

The class will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a ten-week period starting February 26^th.  The classes will be held at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street.  Anyone interested in attending the academy can pick up an application at the Police Department, apply online at by clicking here, or call Sergeant Mike Dyer at 706-278-9085 extension 109 to have an application mailed to you.  All applications must be received by February 10, 2008.