police car graphic

A new class in Merrill is showing regular citizens, what it takes to be a police officer.

Starting February First, the Merrill Police Department will be holding their first ever Citizens' Police Academy. It's based off one put on by the Rothschild Police Department.

The police chief says its going to be a fun way for the department to build relationships with people in the city, by giving them a hands on experience in law enforcement.

"A lot of times when we explain what we do, people say, 'why do you do it that way,' and this will hopefully give us a chance to show them why we do things the way we do it," said Chief Ned Seubert of the Merrill Police Department.

The Rothschild Police Department will also be holding their Citizens' Police Academy this Spring.

Both police departments are currently accepting applications.

Applications for both can be picked up at their city's respective police departments. The deadline for applications in Merrill is this Friday. People in Rothschild have until February 11 to turn in their paperwork.

Both academies are only open to residents of that city, or people who work there.