YCSO Citizen police academy "intriguing, interesting' grads say
- Tammy L Wells
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
ALFRED, Maine – A couple of classes of the Citizens Police Academy conducted by York County Sheriff’s Office this winter included law and the US Constitution. It was part of the nine week program that saw students learn everything from how to conduct a traffic stop to the role of police dogs – typically called K9s – to crime scene processing and use of force.
Among the 16 graduates of the program were Bob Dyer and Matt Ryan. Both had been members of the inaugural academy in 2025 and enjoyed it so much they signed up for 2026.
“It’s a good way for the community to see what’s going on behind the scenes,” said Ryan, who said he is interested in a career in law enforcement.
Dyer said he found the first academy so interesting he was eager to sign up for the second. “I was amazed at the amount of time they spent on law and the Constitution,” said Dyer. And then came mock traffic stops, conducted in the drill hall of the York County Regional Training Center. “At night it was really dark,” said Dyer, with the vast drill hall simulating what it is like outside on a moonless night. “That was a whole new scenario.”
Program administrator Deputy Matt Cummer said the class of 16 was a diverse group that included retirees, lawyers, healthcare workers and others who took time out of their busy weeks to attend.
The graduates were recognized on March 6, at the sheriff’s office annual awards ceremony.
“I liken the citizen police academy to the Wizard of Oz movie - we give people a glimpse of what goes on behind the curtain!,” said York County Sheriff William L. King Jr. “The citizen academy is not only interesting to the participants, but gives them a true appreciation of the challenges of policing in a rural environment.”
Katarina Champlin works in a hospital emergency department and married into a police family.
“I wanted to see the aspects of what they do,” said Champlin, who said crime scene processing and investigations were her favorite parts of the program.
“I’ve always been intrigued,” said Anthony Legueux. “It was interesting.”
Topics for the free program included police patrol operations and tactics, communications, fingerprinting, jail operations, crime scene processing, political implications, investigations, community policing, constitutional law, use of force, K9 utilization, and special response team operations. In all, it was a 27 hour program plus a required ride-along. Those applying agree to a background check.
“Everyone is interested in the K-9 part because dogs are cool, but I think students got the most out of the use of force class, reviewing case law on the subject and (now) understand how law-enforcement officers are judged when using force – it can be eye-opening,” said Cummer.
Graduates included Ilene Kanoff, John Burrows, Karen Furrow, Roycean Weyand, Katarina Champlin, Danny brown, Anthony Lagueux, Andrew Lehmann, Elaine Guillemette, Thomas Collins, Matt Ryan, Robert Dyer, Joshia Jacques, Henry Monday, Tyler Smith and Sarah Newick.
Dyer said the academy was time well spent.
“This is in a class by itself,” he said.
