(Photo submitted) The 2008 Spencer Citizen's Police Academy recently completed a 10-week program and gained insight about law enforcement practices and procedures. Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson coordinates the class. The 2008 student roster was comprised of: Rosa Enderton, Becky Fear, Nick Ketcham, Anita Miller, Russ Oechslin, Craig Poulsen, Michael Reardon, Kevin Tlam, Jami Webster and Doug Wittrock.

Eleven people completed the 2008 version of the Spencer Citizen's Police Academy.

The academy courses took place on Tuesday nights from March 18 until May 20. The topics included criminal law, search and seizure, 911, crime scenes, gathering of evidence, processing crime scenes, drug investigations and traffic enforcement.

Crash investigations, domestic abuse investigations, emergency response teams and other department programs are also featured. Participants learned about interview and interrogation, homeland security and adult and juvenile court systems.

A patrol car ride-along and tours of jails in Primghar and Spencer are included in the program.

The academy's roots date back to 2002, when Mark Lawson, a lieutenant at the time, approached Spencer Police Chief Mike Lashbrook with the concept after attending a three-month FBI National Academy training. Eleven area residents enrolled in the inaugural sessions.

Lawson has said academy speakers are experts in their field and do an excellent job of presenting information.

The Tuesday sessions typically began at 6:30 p.m. and had a tentative ending time of 8 p.m.