Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Pennsylvania Game Commission Game Warden Tyler Brundage speaks on his role and responsibilities during the second session of the Citizen’s Police Academy, a program currently meeting each Thursday at the Youngsville Borough building from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Law enforcement was in the news everyday earlier this summer when a major manhunt sought to capture an escaped Warren County Jail inmate.

But that’s not what the day-to-day life for the law enforcement officers looks like.

A Citizen’s Police Academy is underway to help clarify the roles of law enforcement in the county.

Youngsville Police Chief Todd Mineweaser said the program – which is currently running weekly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday nights at the Youngsville Borough building – is funded through a grant from the Northwest Pennsylvania Police Chiefs organization.

Though the course is underway, anyone interested is encouraged to attend subsequent sessions.

Last week, those attending learned about what it takes to get into being an officer.

“There’s a good group of people here,” Mineweaser said of those who are participating in the course.

He called the academy a “program for education and awareness of what we’re doing on a daily basis.”

Next week’s session will focus on patrols and future sessions will discuss criminal investigation, DUI task forces, and district court as well as tours of the courthouse and law enforcement stations in the county.

Thursday night, attendees heard from several members of the law enforcement community representing the Sheriffs’ Office, District Attorney’s Office, Game Commission, Conewango Township and state parole about the different parts that each entity plays in the broader law enforcement picture.

“The agencies that work with us on a regular basis, we work well together,” Mineweaser said.

Sheriff Brian Zeybel highlighted the differences between police and sheriff’s deputies as well as the periodic fight that seeks to get the General Assembly to give sheriff’s offices full police powers.

He also discussed the court security, civil service and transport obligations his office has.

Chief County Detective Tom Kibbey said that the majority of his job is drug investigations as he oversees the Warren County Drug Task Force.

While drugs are obviously still in our community, there is a belief that those on the outside have some concern when it comes to bringing drugs into the county.

“People are nervous to come to Warren County,” Kibbey said. “I kinda like it that way. These people are paranoid. They’re nervous. They know what happens.”

State Game Warden Tyler Brundage said the majority of his time is spent combating the night-time poaching of white tailed deer.

Cases come to him either by finding direct evidence or from tips.

During the summer, he added, much of his time is dedicated to addressing nuisance wildlife, including the trapping and moving of bears.

“If you do hear something or see something,” he said, a report should be made. “Nothing is too small.”

The course aims to paint the full picture of what roles law enforcement have in our communities.

“I just want them to understand we do a heck of a lot more than we see on TV,” Mineweaser said.