NATCHEZ — The Natchez Police Department is seeking applicants for its Citizens’ Police Academy.

The academy, which starts Aug. 11, is designed to teach residents about the justice system about crime prevention and how to utilize the Crime Stoppers program.

The six-week course teaches participants about what happens from the time of an arrest to trial, and shows them what the different departments in the NPD do.

The classes will be 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday until its conclusion.

It likewise looks at prosecution and court systems.

“This is for anyone who is interested in learning about the different functions of the criminal justice system,” said Catherine Latham, assistant Neighborhood Watch coordinator for the NPD.

Those entering the academy will have to be at least 18 and have a clean record.

“Anybody that is taking this course cannot have a criminal record,” Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Jerry Ford said. “We do a background check to make sure that those we are teaching this to are outstanding citizens.”

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

For more information, contact Ford or Latham at 601-445-7543.