By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

If Blanche Valliere ever gets pulled over by police, she’ll do things differently.
The Biddeford woman said she will wait with her hands on the steering wheel until an officer asks her to pull out her registration.
“They don’t know if I’m going to pull out a gun or not. I’m just going to put my hands on the wheel like they told me. They have a very dangerous job,” the senior citizen said as she walked from the Biddeford Police Department.
Valliere was not there because of a traffic infraction, but as a participant in the Citizen Police Academy. The eight-week course wrapped up last week and a graduation ceremony for participants was scheduled for last night, after Courier press time.
Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said the course is designed to give residents more information about police work while clearing up misconceptions about the department. Biddeford police began offering the academy more than a decade ago, but stopped until recently for lack of demand.
Course topics included misuse of 911, how to be a good witness, crime scene investigation, evidence preservation and collection, patrol equipment, officer safety and community policing. Participants also toured the police department, met officers and detectives and reviewed various laws.
Chief Roger Beaupre taught the last class Dec. 2, leading participants through an overview of the department’s bike patrol unit and community policing. He said he hoped the class provided residents useful information.
“The worst thing out there as far as I’m concerned are people who are not aware of the regulations and laws,” he said.
Beaupre said he wants people to understand the department “does more than just give tickets.”
“A lot of people don’t know about what we do. We don’t necessarily showcase or brag about the different things we do,” he said. “You don’t think about your police department unless you’re robbed, you don’t think about the police department unless you see someone pulled over.”
Beaupre said the department has largely moved away from foot patrols because it is not the most efficient way to patrol the city. Instead, patrols are done largely in cruisers and by officers on bicycles. The department has six bicycles fully equipped with blue lights and sirens, he said.
Beaupre told class participants bike patrols are used to make connections with specific areas and often to patrol recent trouble spots in the city. Officers on bikes are quiet and stealthy and can often better hear what is going on in a neighborhood, he said.
‘That bike can slip through town easier than a hot knife through butter,” he said.
Bike patrols are also part of the department’s community policing, Beaupre said. Officers are often seen as riding role models by area youth, he said.
“There’s nothing like having an officer go into a neighborhood with kids congregating on bikes,” he said. “Your whole attitude will change. You could have a bad day and you go into that environment and your whole attitude changes. It’s like coming home to a bowl of ice cream.”
Beaupre briefly reviewed bicycle traffic laws, which prompted questions from participants about what kinds of motorized bicycles and scooters are street legal. He also asked for theories on why so many motorists run red lights at Five Points intersection. Participants said they think people are frustrated by the number of red lights in the city.
Beaupre wrapped up the course by outlining community services provided by the department. They include working with community and neighborhood watch groups, education programs, child seat safety checks and partnerships with other area groups.
Steve Audie said he decided to take the course after seeing a newspaper listing. His brother is a police officer and Audie said he often wondered what went on behind the walls of the police department.
Audie said the course was interesting and liked the interaction with officers and detectives.
“I thought they were very well-spoken and professional,” he said.
Both Audie and Valliere recommended other community members take the free course.
“We have a little more respect for [the officers] because we understand what they’re going through,” Valliere said. “They’re in danger all the time. They never know who they’re going to stop.”
Fisk said the department will offer the course again in March. Those interested are asked to fill out a simple application before officers check for outstanding warrants. The course is free and may be taken more than once.  

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.