The Bellevue Police Department will hold its fall Police Community Academy to teach interested residents about its philosophy and methods for halting crime. The fall session for the outreach program is set to begin Sept. 3.

The Community Academy is free and open to anyone who lives or works in Bellevue, is 18 years old or older and able to pass a background test. The class size is typically 20 to 30.

Through the Community Academy, participants get engaged in what police officers do in the community. Graduates of the academy often become resident ambassadors for the Police Department.

Participants will be taught by sworn officers as well as civilian staff, all experts in their respective law enforcement fields. Topics include patrol, community policing, traffic, gangs, recruitment and training, domestic violence, narcotics, dispatch and records, bike patrol, investigations, crimes scene analysis, forensics, SWAT, K-9 and the bomb squad.

Hands-on experiences include firearms instruction and, for some, a ride with an on-duty patrol officer.

Weekly classes are 7-10 p.m. each Wednesday, for three months. Space is limited, with just a few seats remaining for the upcoming class.

More information is available by calling Sheila Evans at 425-452-7853.