Published: October 02, 2008 09:25 am      

Golf! In the name of the law!

Citizen police sponsor annual tournament

Danie M. Huffman

wdreporter2@yahoo.com

Police supporters are asking local golfers to grab their nine irons and caddies.

The Weatherford Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association is hosting the third annual golf tournament Sunday, Oct. 19, at Canyon West.

More teams are needed to hold the tournament.

Chris Hummel, WCPAAA president, said team and individual sign-ups will be accepted through Oct. 15.

Applications are available at Hummel’s Weatherford Battery and Electric or online at www.weatherfordcitizenpolice.org.

About 12 teams have signed up so far, but WCPAAA members are looking to add another dozen.

Hummel suggests companies, organizations, churches and individuals can join the tournament.

The tournament is one of the biggest fundraisers for the organization along with Casino night, held in January.

The tournament is four-man scramble.

Sponsorships are still available at $100 per hole. Team entry fees are $300 and individuals may sign up for $75. If a team sponsors a hole, the entry and sponsorship is $375.

Lunch is included with entry fees. Tee-off begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. and an awards ceremony beginning at 5 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to the tournament,” Hummel said. “We hope to have a big turn-out.”

Money raised will go toward the organization’s general fund to purchase equipment for the department, saving taxpayers’ dollars.

Hummel said he hopes to raise enough funds to support a special project. Organization members want to buy the department a sky tower to use during holidays and special events.

The tower, typically referred to as the “eye in the sky,” is estimated at $60,000, and is used as a security manning station.

WCPAAA recently purchased new cameras for crime scene investigations and a saw for the Weatherford-Parker County Special Operations Group with money raised during other fundraisers.

Weatherford Police Capt. Greg Lance said the organization is vital to helping the department out in numerous areas and divisions.

“They’re there for us any time we ask,” Lance said. “They volunteer because they truly have a heart for our officers and care about the department.”

The organization annually prepares and serves traditional dinners for officers who work on holidays.

They provide security and traffic control at parades and events, keeping officers on patrol rather than pull them off the streets. They sponsor McGruff the Crime Dog to attend events like National Night Out and also support the animal shelter’s building fund.

Members visit schools, businesses and community functions to provide Kid Print, a children’s fingerprinting program. Members also help in the records office with clerical duties at the department.

A new citizen police academy begins in January. To join the organization and sign up for classes, call Weatherford Police Sgt. Dennis Whitford at (817) 598-4300 or Chris Hummel at (817) 594-3713.