The Mount Vernon Police Department will start its bi-annual Citizen Police Academy on Oct. 20.

The program is designed to bridge the communication gap between the community and authorities. It’s also free for Mount Vernon residents.

“A lot of the things that are going on are because of miscommunication,” says Detective Dave Clarke, with the Mount Vernon Police Department.

The academy was revived 6 years ago and takes place at the department’s headquarters. Students receive a tour and learn about policing in the city.

"When the major case unit comes down, they talk about how they deal with homicides, when internal affairs come down they talk about internal cases, what to do, when the violent crimes unit comes, they talk about things they do in the streets,” says Clarke.

A popular addition to the citizen police academy is a five-hour ride-along with officers.

"As opposed to just hearing it from us, that actually ride along, they hear calls, we go on calls with them so that they can see and observe how we respond,” says Clarke.

The program is currently at capacity, but Clarke tells News 12 that once the pandemic is over there’s a possibility that more people can participate.