IF you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer, you could now have the chance to find out.

Avon and Somerset Police is opening its doors to the public via their Citizens’ Academy, which gives people an opportunity to experience police workings first-hand.

The first in a series of 10 week programmes kicked off this week, and offered a select group of people an insight into different police roles.

Aspects of the job that were explored included forensic investigation, the use of firearms, internet safety, domestic abuse and hate crime.

Superintendent Andy Bennett, Force Lead for Participation in Policing said that he hopes the scheme will inspire people to join their neighbourhood watch or an Independent Advisory group.

He said: “We are committed to providing opportunities for the public to participate in policing and the Citizens’ Academy is a great way to do this.

“We hope it will be win-win - by providing participants with the chance to understand more about what we do and why we do it - and we hope it will benefit our communities by inspiring a new generation of citizen leaders.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, added: “The Citizens’ Academy is a great opportunity for local people from different communities, backgrounds and with different life experiences, to gain a better insight into policing.

“The aim of the academy is to give local people first-hand experiences into the policing service; what it’s like to be an officer, what it’s like to investigate a crime and the challenges experienced daily by the police across Avon and Somerset."

The first Academy programme is set to run from Tuesday, May 9 through to Tuesday, July 11.

There are a number of applicants on a waiting list for the next course, so people who would like to take part in a future programme are asked to register their interest on the Avon and Somerset Police website here or email CitizensAcademy@avonandsomerset.police.uk