Program Bridges Communication Gap Between Police and Residents

When Lt. Jon Clark joined the in 1974, his chief had him canvass the community one home at a time.

Dubbed the “Protect and Serve Program,” Clark’s mission was to meet and greet each and every one of Horsham’s 10,000 residents.

“We’d pick a neighborhood,” Clark recalled. “We had literature about Horsham Township and we’d go door-to-door … Back then, that was our community policing.”

Much has changed in the years since. Horsham Township has more than doubled its population - to close to 25,000 residents. That, coupled with people’s ever-busy lives, would make this type of meet-and-greet next to impossible.

Yet, Horsham Police and are continuing with community policing efforts – just in a different format. Beginning on March 9, both departments will again team up for the annual Citizens Police Academy, a 10-week class aimed at giving the general public a better understanding of police functions. Clark said the effort is another way for police to “get up close and personal with the residents.”

Along with Clark, Hatboro Sgt. Pete VanDolsen has led the class since its inception in 1999. In that time, more than 300 locals have graduated from the academy and gained a better understanding of the police officer’s role, Clark said.

“Police officers, we love our career and we’re proud of our career, but we also want to share that with the public in that we want them to understand our career,” Clark said. “We’re trying to do the best job we can.”

During the Wednesday evening classes, various law enforcement personnel, including representatives from the district attorney’s office, district court and police K-9 units, will lead instruction on such varied topics as patrol functions, crime scene investigations, emergency response teams, hostage negotiations and more.

“It puts to rest some of the misconceptions,” said VanDolsen, who also teaches the kids’ DARE drug awareness program. “They realize that crime’s not solved in an hour with commercials like they see on TV.”

At the outset, Clark said police saw the class as a way to develop better communication with residents. Then, after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, interest in the program grew even more, Clark said.

“People really got interested in emergency responders,” Clark said.

An early outgrowth of the Citizens Police Academy is Horsham’s Chief’s Advisory Teams (ChATs), an effort meant to build better relationships and bridge the communication gap between police and citizens. Horsham resident Gary Bissig and a few others from one of the first classes, started ChATs in early 2001, in the aftermath of a hurricane. The terrorist attacks soon after intensified their efforts, Bissig said.

Aside from assisting police and first responders in emergency situations, the group’s aim is to keep lines of communication open with police and to serve as the eyes and ears of the community.

“The more involved the citizenry, the less crime you will have,” Bissig said. “That’s our goal. If we can have people out investing in the community, that will deter many of the crimes.”

ChATs is the overarching umbrella for other community groups, including an active town watch comprised of volunteers who keep a watchful eye on 15 to 20 Horsham neighborhoods. The goal of which is to “reduce call reluctance,” Bissig said.

“People are uncomfortable making that call to the police department,” Bissig said. “Instead of walking passed it, instead of ignoring it, call it in so the police department can do their job.” 

Clark said it "goes without saying" that Citizen Police Academy grads learn that it's always best to call police if something or someone seems unusual. In general, he said, "it's amazing the things some people won't call us about, or don't call us about."

Gone are the days of door-to-door policing. In 2011, community policing requires community involvement. 

The Citizens Police Academy will be held at the Horsham Community Center, located behind the , 1025 Horsham Road, Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. beginning March 9 and continuing through May 11. Click here to complete and application.