Community Education

The Artesia Police Department will be hosting a series of classes throughout the next few months known as “A Taste of the Blue.” This series of classes is similar to a citizen’s academy in some respects and can be taken by a citizen as a one off single class, part of the whole series or the whole series itself. Attendance of one session is not a prerequisite for attendance of the others. The series of classes, a general description, the instructors and the class dates/times are below. They will all take place at 3300 West Main in Artesia. If the class has two dates listed, the same material will be presented at both sessions. There is a maximum of 24 students per session. Students younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Use of Force and Response to Resistance
​​​Taught by Detective Gracie Gonzales and Sgt Chris Boor​​​
​February 23, 2017 at 6:30pm
​Register for "Use of Force and Response to Resistance"

In today’s world, certainly, an attention-gathering area of coverage of police activities is their use of force. Come and understand some of the U.S. Constitutional issues, statutes, pieces of case law, and the dynamics involved in responding to a subject’s actions concerning a police officer’s engagement in the practice of law enforcement. A one hour briefing will occur including a question and answer session after which student volunteers can participate in live-action scenarios designed to grossly drive home points spoken about in the briefing.
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​​Your Patrol Officers and Drugs and Gangs in the Community
​​​​​​Taught by Commander Pete Quinones and Cpl Tony Baca​​​​​​​​​​
​March 16, 2017 at 6:30pm
​Register for "Your Patrol Officers and Drugs and Gangs in the Community"​​​​​​​
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​​The heartbeat of the police department are the officers that receive the initial calls and respond to situations in order that the mission statement of the department is accomplished. Additionally, officers that are able to recognize the beginnings of off color behavior by the youth they come into contact with and are able to try to intervene at appropriate levels and times are key in preventing violent gang behavior by youth in our community. Come talk to those who have handled these things for years and understand and can talk intelligently about how they are done and what the expectations of the community can be in relation to these topics.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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​Self Defense
​ ​​Taught by Sgt Jeff Letcher and Cpl Larry Horrell​
​April 13, 2017 at 6:30pm​​​​
​Register for "Self Defense"
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​​​Everyone has the right to defend themselves. Learn how this is done, and in what situations in this fun, interactive and comprehensive course that consists of instruction in street wise risk awareness, risk reduction, crime prevention strategies, frame of mind and defensive concepts and other options. Also learn how far is too far. Many people have found that signing up with a friend makes this training a bit more comfortable. ​​ 
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Criminal Investigation Division and Evidence Collection and Handling ​    ​​​
​Taught by Detective Sgt David Rodriguez/Evidence Technicians Myra Barnum and Michelle McConnaughy   ​​​​
​May 18, 2017 at 6:30pm
​Register for "Criminal Investigation Division and Evidence Collection and Handling"

Television entertainment depicts violent crimes being solved, charged and adjudicated in an hour. Common Sense says this is not the case, but what really happens when a violent crime is investigated and brought through the criminal justice system? The mechanics of interviews, evidence collection, search warrants, charging documents and interaction with the District Attorney and other members of the courtroom work group are explored in this session. ​​
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Building Relationships with the Community  ​​​​​​​
​Taught by Commander Lindell Smith and Cpl Tony Baca
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​June 14, 2017 6:30pm
​Register for June 14, 2017 Session of "Building Relationships with the Community" ​
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​June 17, 2017 at 1:30pm
​​Register for June 17, 2017 Session of "Building Relationships with the Community"​​​
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​Understanding the concept of what citizens expect of the police officers sworn to protect and serve them is something we always strive to improve at. This informative, thought provoking and idea generating two hours will focus on the relationship between the police department and the citizens of the community and give us all a chance to speak freely and openly about concerns, questions and ideas. ​​​​​​​​​​​​
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​Recruiting, Selection, Ethical Decision Making and Discipline
​​Taught by Commander Lindell Smith and Chief Donald Raley ​​​
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​July 13, 2017 at 6:30pm 
Register for July 13, 2017 Session of "Recruiting, Selection, Ethical Decision Making and Discipline"
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​July 15, 2017 at 1:30pm
​Register for July 15, 2017 Session of "Recruiting, Selection, Ethical Decision Making and Discipline"
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​Selecting the right person to fill the position of police officer and other positions within the police department is more involved than one might initially think. Additionally, many news stories are put forth and rumors abound concerning employee misconduct and the way it is handled internally after a decision making process is used by an officer. A transparent talk about these subjects will occur and may help to clear the air surrounding them.