Pleasanton Police Department has opened enrollment for its 2016 Citizen's Academy.

The next police Citizen's Academy will run from Jan. 21 to April 28, and the goal of the program is to create closer community partnerships, educate the public on law enforcement procedures and to discuss the importance of public involvement in the policing process.

The police department has been hosting this type of academy for 24 years, according to the department.

The free classes will be held on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Pleasanton Police Department on Bernal Avenue. The classes cover topics such as community policing, SWAT, traffic enforcement and use of force issues.

The course is open to adults who live or work in Pleasanton. Participants must not have any felony convictions, any misdemeanor conviction within the past year, must complete a background check, must sign waiver forms and must be approved by chief Dave Spiller.

Applications are available at the front counter of the department, located at 4833 Bernal Ave., or online at the department's website.