Those who live or work in Sumner are invited to participate in the Sumner Police Department biennial citizen’s academy.

Classes will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Feb. 25 to March 25.

Information about department operations, SWAT, K-9 and investigations will be included in the interactive course work. Participants will be given the opportunity to drive a patrol vehicle and receive firearms training.

Most classes will be held at the department, 1104 Maple Street, but short field trips will also be arranged.

Applicants are required to be over 18-years-old and pass a background check. The program is free but prior registration is mandatory. Only a limited number of spots are available so register quickly, said Deputy Chief Jeff Engel.

Engel, who was a sergeant at the time, volunteered to be tased in the name of community education at the last citizen’s academy in 2012. He doesn’t plan on doing so again this year but is hoping another officer might, he said.

In the event participant’s miss out on a live taser demonstration, they will still be able to witness a “driving under the influence wet lab” in which two people, of different size and build, will be asked to perform field sobriety tests, to illustrate the effects of alcohol.

Register online by visiting the city of Sumner website.

The Bonney Lake Police Department is also preparing for its own citizen’s academy. For more information or to register for your spot, please visit the city’s website and click on the citizen’s academy link.