Business Police Academy adding fire prevention component

GAINESVILLE - The 8th annual Gainesville Business Police Academy has been
postponed one year as the department prepares to move the main
offices from Jesse Jewell Parkway and the municipal court from E.E. Butler Parkway to Queen City Parkway.

Joseph G. Britte, Jr., the officer who has coordinated the academy for the past
seven years, said the new public safety complex will provide an excellent
backdrop for the 2011 class.

"We are really excited to be moving into the new police department and to have space for programs like the Business Police Academy. The new Municipal Court will be located in the same building after being separated for many years. We will also have a larger evidence room that will be revealed during our class on
crime scene investigation," said Officer Britte.

The targeted audience for the Business Police Academy is the business community including business owners, managers and employees. Participants must be at least 21 years old.

Officer Britte said they will also be adding a fire prevention component in
2011. "With the new Fire Station #1 next door we have decided to add a class on fire prevention for businesses, " Officer Britte said.

The new Public Safety Complex is scheduled to open this fall. If you'd like to be notified of registration dates for the 8th annual Business Police Academy call 770-287-0893.