The Olive Branch Police Department will host its Citizen's Police Academy Class No. 6 on March 25-May 27. This will be the first academy conducted in the spring season as in the past it has only been offered in the fall.

The success of the OBPD Citizens Police Academy has driven the need to present the academy more often as each class has been full. The Citizens Police Academy gives citizens a close look inside the OBPD to see "why officers do what they do." It's designed to give community members an overview of the department's procedures and functions.
Open to DeSoto County residents 21 years of age or older, the free academy will feature once-a-week classes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays about topics including narcotics, DUI and traffic enforcement, investigations and K-9 operations.
Space is limited to around 25 participants for the academy. Applications are available on the front page of the City of Olive Branch website at www.obms.us, or you can pick up an application at the new police department at 10470 Hwy. 178.
Applicants must pass a background check and have no felony convictions. The deadline for applications is March 12.
For additional information contact Sgt. Lawrence Swindall at 662-892-9426 or e-mail him at lswindall@obms.us.