NATCHEZ — Adams County residents will have a chance next month to see a behind-the-scenes view of the local criminal justice system with the Natchez Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy.

The academy is designed to teach local residents about the duties of NPD employees, from patrol officers and investigators, to other members of the local justice system, said NPD Detective Jerry Ford.

“This is a very interesting class that gives people an exposure to what we do here at the police department, but also to what the attorneys, judges and other people do in our community,” Ford said. “It’s a great way to learn a lot about the local justice system and really see some hands-on things they normally wouldn’t see.”

The academy will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. starting Sept. 18 and continue once a week for seven weeks. The final meeting will be a graduation ceremony.

Ford said academy participants would be taken through the entire process of the local justice system, from the time someone is arrested and booked into jail to their trial.

The academy, Ford said, offers insight into the various departments within the police department, municipal court procedures, the district attorney’s role in prosecution and includes a demonstration from the department’s K-9 narcotics officer.

“We’ll have the district attorney and his office staff here so residents can hear from them their side in every case,” Ford said. “We’ll also have some judges and local attorneys who prosecute and defend suspects to talk to us about that.”

The academy will also teach residents about how to spot suspicious activity and how they can utilize the Crime Stoppers system to keep their friends and family safe, Ford said. The Crime Stoppers system allows residents to phone in tips, remain anonymous and receive cash rewards for helping police.

Crime Stoppers and the local Neighborhood Watch program sponsors the academy, which is free to Adams County residents who are at least 21.

Residents must complete an application for the academy and pass a basic background check. Ford said residents with criminal backgrounds might not be granted access to the program.

Applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the records division inside the police department at 233 D’Evereux Drive.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 11.

All completed applications should be turned back into the records division office.

For more information, call Ford at 601-445-7543.