ARLINGTON — The Arlington Police Department is aiming to keep an existing citizen education program going while starting another in the new year.

The Arlington Police Explorer Post is facing the prospect of closure if it can’t get more youth involved by Monday, Dec. 31, according to Arlington Police Cmdr. Brian DeWitt.

If you’re between 14-20 years old, enrolled in school, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have no criminal record, you’re welcome to apply to the Arlington Police Explorer Post, so long as you’re also interested in law enforcement, physically able to perform the duties required, have a minimum of driving violations, and are willing to learn and to commit either 16 hours a month or 40 hours over the course of three months.

The Arlington Police Explorers Post meets twice monthly on Tuesdays between 5-7 p.m. For more information, contact Arlington Police Officer Stephanie Ambrose via email at sambrose@arlingtonwa.gov, or leave her a voice message by phone at 360-403-4636.

On Jan. 16, 2013, the Arlington Police Department Citizen’s Academy will begin its 10-week program, meeting each Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. and culminating in a graduation ceremony.

The Arlington Police Department Citizen’s Academy is designed to educate the public about department policies, regulations, the criminal justice system and ways to reduce crime. The program allows members of the police department and citizens to meet, share ideas and information, and interact in a positive and proactive setting. Another aim of the program is for the instruction to help increase law enforcement awareness, by dispelling suspicions and misconceptions, as well as to facilitate a rapport between the police and the community through this educative process.

For more information, contact Arlington Police Detective Sgt. Jonathan Ventura by phone at 360-403-4621 or via email at jventura@arlingtonwa.gov, or log onto www.arlingtonwa.gov/index.aspx?page=465.