The graduates had completed a twelve-session, six-week program of classes given by the Richmond Police Department in partnership with the Refugee and Immigrant Services community liaison program. Maria Hernandez is the one who had recruited them to attend the Citizens Academy and had urged them to stay involved.

Classes are presented in the Spanish language to answer questions about public safety issues, explain police procedures and build trust. Since 2007, a total of over 150 Hispanic individuals have participated in six iterations of the classes.

Graduates of the Citizens Academy become "go to" people for members of the Hispanic community. They are able to provide accurate law enforcement information and offer cogent advice to immigrants who frequently are victims of crime, yet often feel reluctant to communicate with police. Enrollees in the classes have included both immigrants with legal residency and aliens without official paperwork. The key qualifier is their willingness to be civically engaged.

Richmond Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood recognized this year's Citizens Academy graduates and their families, as did the police liaison officer and RIS Community Liaison Maria Hernandez.

Richmond is home to over 40,000 Spanish speakers. Many struggle to make ends meet and have few housing options. Low income neighborhoods are often plagued with crime and new immigrants have proven to be easy targets. In their country of origin, banks were suspect, so they carry cash. When they are victimized, they are loath to inform the police who, back home, would likely shake them down rather than offer assistance. Some avoid police for fear of deportation. Unchecked crime escalates, affecting our greater community. Not long ago, a report revealed that 30% of city robberies were perpetrated on Hispanics, who made up less than 5% of the population.

A goal of the RIS community liaison program is to educate new Americans on to how things work in the U.S., but getting people to come to meetings is a significant challenge.

RIS community liaison Maria Hernandez and community board member Boyd Headley targeted Southwood Apartments, Richmond's largest immigrant neighborhood. The complex has 1,283 units, of which 48% are immigrant occupied. Outreach included children's games, prizes, and information tables. Residents were asked what they were concerned about. Crime topped their list.

RIS tailored the first meetings to address their interest in community safety. At residents' request, the Richmond police were asked to present information. As trust increased, the RIS immigrant community liaison and the police liaison officer persuaded residents to join a Spanish language citizens' police academy.

RIS is grateful to the Jackson Foundation for their support of this outreach project.

The success of this program is not measured in just diplomas awarded. The city police report a 35% reduction in crime in the Southwood community. Across town, the Henrico police also noticed. They have requested assistance in generating interest in a similar program for the residents of two large immigrant neighborhoods in the county: Seven Gables and London Towne Apartments.