On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, the Southampton Town Police Civilian Academy graduated at SUNY Stony Brook Southampton. The graduation was the final celebration of a sixteen week course that began in January, paused for several months and resumed in July. For the first time in the Academy history we had special performances by the Young Blood Singers, Lance Gumbs, Wayne T. Duncan, and Jeffrey Pegran from the Shinnecock Nation and singing the National Anthem in Navajo by Native American Music Award winner Michelle Thomas and her daughter Ianaba Cuffee. The performances were arranged by 2020 graduate Elena Rivera-Williams, also of the Shinnecock Nation.
The Southampton Town Civilian Academy is an opportunity for the community to become better educated with the way the men and women of the department train and apply academy knowledge to community policing on a daily basis. Over the sixteen weeks the attendees get to know the trainers on a personal level and ultimately become ambassadors and collaborate with the department. A final ride along with seasoned officers allow the attendees to see our officers in their daily work interacting with our community.
If you are interested in attending the 2021 Civilian Police Academy contact Lt. Susan Ralph at sralph@southamptontownny.gov for an application. We look forward to seeing you!
