The Gloucester Police Department will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy beginning February 27th and continuing for 6 weeks thereafter. It is a great opportunity for residents to learn more about their Police Department and is a program that has been well received and enjoyed in the past. We are happy to be bringing it back. Applications are available at the Police Station and some area businesses. The class is filling up fast, so if your readers would like to get in, encourage them to do so fast. For more information, they can contact Lt. John McCarthy at 978-281-9900.

 Gloucester PD has also brought back the Gloucester Police Fitness Challenge!! We know the complaints some folks have about their officers being, ummm, slightly bigger than there uniforms, so we are encouraging our guys to get into shape with the 2013 GPD Fitness Challenge. Its 3 months long, from mid January to mid April, and incorporates weight loss, exercise, and education on how to make lifestyle changes that would lead to lifelong better fitness. We have over 30 members of the Police Department enrolled, including myself. If you see us out there running as a group, we’d encourage your readers to honk for support. In that same vein, we are asking for business owners to rally and support our attempts to be positive, healthy role models by pledging a $1 per pound for every pound we lose as a team, up to a maximum of 400lbs. The monies raised will be used exclusively to fund a new treadmill and new elliptical machine to further encourage our officers to remain healthy.  While our aim is $1 per pound, we would welcome any support. In exchange, we will be providing a plaque of appreciation for those businesses that show their support, as well as thanking and recognizing them in future media releases about the program. While I understand some may feel this is a lot to ask in these financial times, especially when we, as police officers, should remain in shape, but the reality is we are encouraged by the motivation shown recently and are trying to give an opportunity to become involved in our success in this initiative. I thank your readers and businesses in advance for any support.

 Also, the Police Department is proud to be participating in 1 Billion Rising, a global campaign to stop violence against women and girls. This is locally sponsored by HAWC, the North Shore Rape Crisis Center, the Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse and Cape Ann Savings Bank. On February 14 at 12:15pm in front of the Cape Ann Savings Bank Park at 101 Main St there will be a moment of silent recognition. We hope your readers are able to join us for a few minutes and show that we are united in our fight to end violence against women and girls.

 Thanks for all your help and your service to the community. look forward to speaking with you soon.