SILVERHILL, Alabama — Would you like to learn more about what your local law enforcement does on a daily basis? Would you like to know why they follow certain procedures? In short, would you like to “Learn What They Live?”

The Silverhill Police Chief Kim Wasdin has just the thing for you.

“Learning What They Live” is the theme for the Silverhill Citizen’s Academy. An orientation and sign up was held Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Silverhill Town Hall, but signups will continue through mid-January for the Academy, which is set to begin in February at the Silverhill Police Department.

“We just want to show people what we do on a daily basis,” said Wasdin. “This is not just what we do, it’s how we live.”

The Academy is open to everyone ages 15 and up and will be held in partnership with the Summerdale Police Department, Chief Eddie Ingram, and the Elberta Police Department, Chief Stan DeVane.

According to information handed out at the Monday, Oct. 15 Silverhill Council meeting, the Academy provides information on issues that law enforcement faces every day, including traffic stops, domestic incidents, alarm calls, building searches and other “routine” calls.

Classes will meet twice a month over a period of four to six months and will include some physical activity, including time on the shooting range and demonstrations of building searches and vehicle stops.

Participants must not have any criminal arrest and must have a valid pistol permit to participate in firearms safety and instruction.

Topics of information will include:

• Learn what to do when the blue lights are on you.

• Pulling over for unmarked cars.

• Vehicle stops and what the officer sees.

• Emergency calls.

• Fight or flight.

• Law enforcement and community.

Participants must wear appropriate shoes and clothing and must be prepared for an oral test, Wasdin said.

Cost of the Academy is $20 per person which covers uniform shirt and graduation, Wasdin said.

“We want to stress that this will NOT give anyone the power to arrest people,” Wasdin said. “We just want to give people a clear understanding of what a law enforcement officer does and why we do the things we do.”

For more information contact the Silverhill Police Department at 251-945-5200.