Miami Lakes Public Safety Committee chairman Roberto Alonso, secretary Omar Gonzalez, and members Max Freiria and Yaima Vega, graduated from the Miami-Dade Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy on September 1. Created in 1993, the 14-week program offers civilians with civic interest an exposure to the “police experience” and enables participants to better understand police training, procedures and philosophy. Each week members underwent classes covering topics such as law, firearms and use of force, stress management, domestic violence, and patrol procedures. Each participants also took part in an eight-hour riding assignment.