I want to cordially invite all of you to the first University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Police Community Engagement Academy. You may ask: What is a Community Engagement Academy? It's a six-week academy that will only take two to three hours of your week. Our curriculum consists of the following: 

• You will meet our Police and Security Officers who work tirelessly to make UMB a great place to live, learn, and work. You also will meet the police recruits we are hiring to serve you. And guess what? You get to ask them whatever you want!
• A Police Communications Officer will take you on a tour of our Police Communications Center to see what their job entails besides call taking and dispatching.
• You will learn why Officers respond in specific ways to actions by the public. For example: Why do Police respond to a suspect armed with a knife with their guns drawn?
• You will meet our Police Officers who positively engage the youth within our community in order to build long-term relationships and trust.
• You get to engage in realistic, fictional scenarios in a controlled environment where you are role-playing as the officer. 
• You can give us input to help us better serve the community and see your suggestions take effect. 

We are working to be different than any other police agency on the planet with a true focus on building a genuine relationship with the community, students, and staff of UMB. This invitation allows you to be a part of helping us become even better.  

Class begins on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, and will be from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.. The following five Wednesdays (2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, and 3/13), training will be held beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on the block of instruction.  

To RSVP, email Matthew Johnson at Matthew.Johnson@police.umaryland.edu. Feel free to have other members of the community RSVP and attend as well, though seats will be limited.