Crestview Police Department announces July events

Crestview Police K9 Officer Cody and his partner, Officer Shane Kriser, demonstrate how the team searches for illegal narcotics during the 2016 Crestview Police Youth Academy July 2 in Crestview. [Officer Sam Kimmons | Crestview Police Department]

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Police Department announces these upcoming public events for the month of July.

CRESTVIEW POLICING PROTOCOLS FORUM, 6 p.m. July 6, Carver-Hill Memorial and Historical Society, 895 McClelland St., Crestview: Join Carver-Hill President David Wheeler, Crestview Mayor David Cadle, Police Chief Tony Taylor, Community Services officers and other city leaders at a free public forum discussing policing protocols and procedures within the community. Residents’ input, questions, compliments and concerns are encouraged and welcome.

COFFEE WITH A COP, 8-10 a.m. July 20 McDonald’s, 302 James Lee Boulevard W, Crestview: Enjoy free coffee while visiting with Police Chief Tony Taylor and some of his officers. Share your ideas, complaints, praises, concerns, etc. in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Stop by at your convenience, grab a cup of coffee and talk with officers.

VETERANS CAREER FAIR, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 20, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive: During this CareerSource Okaloosa Walton event, the Crestview Police Department will be offering information, materials and advice to members of the military on transitioning from a military career to becoming a police officer and continuing serve one's community.

Members of the civilian community who are interested in a career in law enforcement are equally welcome to learn about the opportunities offered by Northwest Florida’s third largest police force between Pensacola and Panama City.

The CPD offers a competitive salary, a family-like work environment, an excellent benefits package, opportunities for more rapid advancement that come with a smaller agency, and ongoing monthly training to standards that exceed those of the state of Florida. The Crestview Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation or identity, religion.

DOG WALKER WATCH, Warriors Hall, 6-9 p.m. July 20, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview:  Every day, hundreds of pet lovers walk their dogs on the streets of Crestview, morning, afternoon and evening. The Crestview Police Department’s Community Service division is starting a local effort under the National Association of Town Watch’s Dog Walker Watch program in which these residents can learn how they can be extra eyes and ears for the police, observing and effectively documenting and reporting unusual activity in their neighborhoods. The training program and participation in Dog Walker Watch are free. Contact Community Services Officers Wanda Hulion, 305-2905, or Sam Kimmons, 305-7831.

CRESTVIEW POLICE YOUTH ACADEMY, July 24-28 and July 31 through Aug. 4: Warriors Hall, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon for kids ages 7-11 and 1-4 p.m. for those ages 12-15. What other summer camp offers opportunities for kids to dust for fingerprints, meet trained K9 officers, and check out cool equipment and weaponry?

The Crestview Police Youth Academy is conducted by certified and sworn law enforcement officers to enhance responsible citizenship, provide positive interaction with police officers, educate kids about the challenges and responsibilities of police work, and encourage young people to take part in other youth programs offered by the Police Department, such as the Law Enforcement Explorers program, which will soon be re-established in Crestview.

Choose either academy, July 24-28 or July 31-Aug. 4. The program is free, and participants will receive a T-shirt, water bottle and carry bag. Applications are available at the police department or its website, www.crestviewpd.org, and are due July 20. For information, please contact Officer Wanda Hulion, 305-2905, or Officer Sam Kimmons, 305-7831.

Business and individual donations to fund the academy, which is not supported by taxpayer dollars, are welcome.

BLUE WIVES MATTER, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Aug. 5, Bob Hope Village Ballroom, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar: Wives and girlfriends of police, sheriff’s offices, Florida Highway Patrol, corrections and Fish & Wildlife officers are welcome to a day of pampering. The event is women-only. Organizers will provide a light lunch. While infants are welcome, childcare will not be provided.

Contact organizer Hannah Fortune, 758-0152, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Police Department announces July events