By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorHave you ever wanted to have a front-row view of what it’s like to be a police officer?The Warrenton Police Department is starting a six-week Citizen Police Academy next month. The program will provide an overview of department’s daily operations and cover a new topic each week a course is held.The free academy is open to anyone who is 18 and older who lives, works or attends school within Warren County, according to Police Chief Greg Houdyshell.“This is an opportunity to see what the police department does,” he said. “It gets them a 10,000-foot overview of what police training is about. It gives folks an opportunity to meet our police officers and see what they will do on a daily basis.The weekly sessions will start Wednesday, June 10, and continue through the middle of July. No course will be held during the week of July 4. Classes will be held from 7-9 p.m.Applicants must pass a background check and cannot have any prior felony convictions. Two personal references must also be provided with the application. The class size is limited to 20 people.The weekly topics the academy will focus on are: criminal/statutory law; traffic law; patrol operations; criminal investigation division; firearms; and field training/ride-along. The final week covering firearm training is expected to be held on a Saturday, Houdyshell said.Applications are available at city hall, located at 200 W. Booneslick. For more information, call 636-456-3535.Houdyshell hopes local residents taken advantage to educate themselves more about the law enforcement profession.“It’s another way for us to engage the citizens of Warrenton and Warren County to learn more about law enforcement and more about what law enforcement agencies in Warren County go through.”Police Chief Greg Houdyshell