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The city I live in has what it calls a "Citizens Police Academy." Several weekly "classes" to familiarize John Q. Public with what it means/takes to be a LEO here. It culminates with a day at the police gun range and an evening ride-along. I went through it about 10 years ago.

I think it was/is an excellent program. All the officers I have ever talked to about it are very supportive. I was too young to have a CHL when I went on the ride-along, but one of my "classmates" said the officer he rode with told him there was a BUG between the seats of the cruiser, should things get really ugly. (I can't use his exact words - ten year-old daughter rule.)

All-in-all, I got to see a couple of people talk their way out of tickets and got to sign an affidavit as a witness to a drug bust that started out as a noise complaint. If you have the opportunity to do something like this, I highly recommend it.