By Amanda Moses
Local Spring Creek Towers’ resident graduates Citizens Police Academy and learns what it’s like to live behind the blue line.
Maria Cruz does not mince her words. She tells it like is, and for some this may seem like brutal honesty, but for others it is a refreshing look at the truth. Which is perhaps what spurred her relationship with the NYPD and catapulted her into the Citizens Police Academy.
“I was asked to apply, but I like to question things, so when I asked around some people thought it was like being a confidential informant—but they’re wrong. Listen, I was so glad that I took the classes. You learn more on the inside and know what these men and women are doing, than what you see on the outside. You get to see what they deal with and how fast they have to react,” Cruz said.
Cruz believes the Citizens Police Academy is the perfect place to delve deep into the blue shield and uncover a loving community whose compassion knows no bounds. She had her doubts about the police department, but these surface level concerns were misconceptions by negative stories highlighted in mainstream media—it wasn’t the whole truth, and that’s what Cruz is all about. So, she decided to do her own research by applying to the Citizens Academy.
So, what exactly is the Citizens Police Academy? It’s a rigorous course that runs anywhere from 6-10 weeks consisting of community training that emulates the NYPD’s response to emergency situations, activities, and overall understanding of the extent and limit of police power. Those who are accepted into the program attend lessons at the New York City Police Academy in College Point, Queens where they get a glimpse of the lessons officers learn such as standard protocols, written tests, and even response simulations.
“You learn how far to stay from a person who’s endangering themselves and the citizens. They go in groups and talk to them,” Cruz said.
Students in the Citizen Academy learn how officers say certain things for clarity and security, such as “Keep your hands where I can see them for both our safety.”
“It’s a lot. It’s a lot of mental work for officers,” Cruz said.
It’s one thing to see the NYPD in action, but it’s another to understand the actual pressure of making a split-second life and death decision. It’s well known that the numerous duties of an officer are dangerous, but no one talks about how truly difficult it is to keep calm under pressure while simultaneously trying to save lives.
Cruz participated in role-playing scenarios where she learned about de-escalation, encountering an emotionally disturbed person, and other situations that officers handle. Cruz admitted that it’s whole different ball game when you are stepping into an officer’s uniform. You have to be quick on your feet and observant of key behaviors to fully assess a situation and perform what you think is the correct response.
“You act it out, but you are acting it out with real cops, and you don’t know until the end. It’s a fun three-hour class,” Cruz said, adding that every week there was a different lesson.
After her 10-week lessons, she graduated on December 5, 2019, and earned a certificate of completion at One Police Plaza. Now, Cruz does volunteer work with the 75th Precinct, such as bookbag giveaway events and other community driven activities. In addition, since Cruz is bi-lingual she is also permitted to assist officers in translating.
Cruz says that the Citizens Police Academy showed her the NYPD’s true colors and exactly what they go through. Now Cruz considers the men and women in blue her extended family.
Photo courtesy of Maria Cruz
