NATCHEZ &045; You’d think they’d been together since kindergarten, but the graduates of the Citizen Police Academy only met each other six weeks ago.

Regardless, they dressed in their finest, brought their families and took lots of pictures Thursday night at the official graduation ceremony celebrating the completion of the course.

&uot;This is a joyous day to see you graduate from the Natchez Citizen Police Academy,&uot; organizer and Officer Charles Woods said. &uot;As long as you leave with a better understanding of how this police office works I’d say this class has been a success.&uot;

During the six-week course, volunteer participants from the community who’d passed a background check, got an inside look at the Natchez Police Department, got to know the officers and learned about the procedure.

&uot;I didn’t really realize the education these guys go through, the academy and the continuing education,&uot; participant Jim Sanders said Thursday night. &uot;There’s more going on than what I realized about them.&uot;

The graduating class was NPD’s 12th group to complete the course. Woods said another class would be offered in about 90 days, but said most slots were already full.

Many of the class participants are already active in their neighborhood watch programs, but the class encourages community involvement as a means of crime prevention.

&uot;I’ll be talking to others in favor of the police department,&uot; participant Ruby West said. &uot;They are really out there doing their jobs.&uot;

Louella Marvel said she enjoyed seeing the firearm display and seeing the reality of what she’s always watched in detective movies.

&uot;I learned the day to day operations,&uot; she said. &uot;I learned quite a bit. I’ve recommend it highly to several people already.&uot;

Woods and Chief Mike Mullins told the class they hoped the experience helped them realize that officers are human beings just like everyone else and they face their own problems too.

&uot;That’s why we put this on,&uot; Woods said. &uot;We want you to become familiar with us just as a human being. We’re just like you, we also have problems.&uot;