The Westlake Police Department is committed to providing the very best protection and service to our community and is pleased to offer a host of extension services that target all segments of our population, from infants to senior citizens. Click on the links below to learn more about these outreach efforts.
Exciting, real-life experience: That’s what local high school students gain from the Career Shadowing and O.W.E. (Occupational Work Experience) Programs. For one day or several—as arranged with the school—students spend time with patrol officers out on the road, with detectives in the Detective Bureau, and with dispatchers in the Communication Center for an enlightening and educational experience.
A positive program for first-time juveniles who have violated the law, the Community Diversion Program gives these youth the opportunity to appear before a magistrate. The program is designed to allow first-time offenders (who admit their transgression) to "work off" their sentence through community service, writing an essay about the dangers of their delinquent behavior, or attending counseling sessions. Upon completion of the sentence, the juvenile's offense is forgiven.
Community Police Academy graduation class
“One thing that I stress from the beginning...is that it’s not just our job to protect you, it’s also your job to protect yourself.” --Lt. Eschenfelder
Established in 1996, the Community Police Academy is a 12-week police discovery session, open to Westlake residents and city employees. Lt. William Eschenfelder directs the academy, which offers students the opportunity to learn about police procedures from patrol officers, detectives and civilian staff members. Weekly session topics include police procedures, self-defense, search and seizure procedures, hostage negotiation and crowd control.
Hands-on instruction includes fingerprinting, operation of the radar and laser guns, driving a patrol car on a marked course, conducting building searches, and pistol shooting in the Westlake Police Department range. A highlight of the academy: Canine officer Chico, the narcotics-sniffing police dog, conducts a “paws-on” demonstration of a search for illegal drugs.
The class has been so well received that its students consistently volunteer their time to assist the Police Department with activities such as the Bike Rodeo, Celebrate Westlake Race, and Party in the Park on the 4th of July. Applications for upcoming sessions are available at the Westlake Police Department. For more information call Lt. Eschenfelder at 440.871.3311 ext. 246.
“By educating the public about how the police function, our goal is to make the city a safer place. We train citizens to be more observant about what’s going on in their city.” --Lt. Eschenfelder
Download the Community Police Academy Brochure
The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) System is a proven program that teaches women realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The RAD System is a comprehensive course, designed expressly for women, that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, and then progresses to the basics of hands-on defense training.
RAD is not a martial arts program. The 9-hour RAD course is taught here in Westlake by Officer Ann Smith, a certified RAD Instructor. The RAD System of Physical Defense is currently being taught at many colleges and universities. This system of realistic defense is designed to arm women with the knowledge and experience they need to make an educated decision about resistance.
The class is offered to women who live and/or work in the City of Westlake and is taught at the Westlake Police Department. There is a maximum of eight students per class. Watch for class information on this site and in the Mayor's Newsletter. Click here for additional information and for an application.
There is nothing quite like first-hand learning experiences —and Westlake Police Department’s Ride Along Program provides just that. Available to students and residents of the city, a rider can observe the tasks of an officer as he/she patrols the city for an entire or partial shift. Officers answer participant questions and explain some of their duties, making for an educational and informative ride.
Safety Pup
Westlake PD Community Service Officers work with the National Child Safety Council's Safety Pup Program to teach young children general safety rules and drug education. Part of the program includes one of our officers wearing a Safety Pup costume to reinforce the valuable lessons learned.
Safety Town
Westlake Safety Town continues its 30+ year tradition of educating our children entering kindergarten about traffic and school safety issues. Classes are offered in sessions throughout June and July.
Safety Town Introduction Letter
Safety Town Student Reg Form (Required for all children)
Safety Town Emergency Medical/Liability Waiver Form (Required for all children)
Safety Town Instructor Volunteer Application Form
Spearheaded by our Community Service Officer and Safety Town Director—and with the help of an energetic team of student volunteers—Safety Town helps better prepare hundreds of pre-kindergarten children for the school experience. The program includes street-crossing safety, school bus procedures, and stranger caution. The children visit the fire and police stations for tours and end the session with a celebratory picnic.
Safety Town
The Westlake Police Department maintains a high level of visibility in the school community. Officer Scott Fortkamp serves as the School Resource Officer at Westlake High School where he maintains an office and has an open-door policy for all students and staff. Officer Fortkamp conducts a Behavior Improvement Program and is seen walking the halls and visiting classrooms. He also attends after-school activities such as dances and sports events. Officer Ken Delfing serves as the School Resource Officer at Lee Burneson Middle School and provides the same services to middle school students as offered at the high school.
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