City Council Recognizes Citizens Academy Graduates, Proclaims Sunshine Week

The Stillwater City Council recognized the 10th graduating class of the Stillwater Police Department's Citizens Academy. The program provides community members with an inside look at police operations.

Terry Low, Public Information Officer for SPD, thanked the council for hosting the class and recognized the participants for their commitment.

"They spent six weeks with us obviously away with their family," Low said. "They gave up a full Saturday just this past Saturday to go through scenarios and a firearms demonstration at the rifle range."

The academy curriculum covers various aspects of police work, from department history and structure to specialized units.

"From learning the basics of our department history and structure to diving into criminal investigations, SWAT and K9 operations. I think that was probably their fun night seeing all the dogs. The dogs are the big hit," Low said.

Participants also learned about officer-involved shootings, officer mental health, patrol operations, and Stillwater Emergency Management. The program concluded with real-life scenarios and time at the shooting range.

Low emphasized that despite their training, participants "are not certified cops," drawing laughter when he added.

Low also extended appreciation to the men and women of the Stillwater Police Department who took time from their busy schedules to teach, demonstrate, and guide the class.

Vice Mayor Dzialowski thanked both the police department and the citizens who participated in the program, noting it's a great opportunity for civic engagement.

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League of Women Voters highlights importance of transparency in government

City Council also proclaimed March 16 through March 22, 2025, as Sunshine Week during its March 10 meeting, highlighting the importance of government transparency and public access to information.

Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski read the proclamation, which honors James Madison, the father of the federal Constitution, who wrote that "consent of the governed requires that the people be able to arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

The proclamation emphasizes that every citizen in a participatory democracy has an inherent right to access government meetings and public records.

"An open and accessible government is vital to establishing and maintaining the people's trust and confidence in their government and in the government's ability to effectively serve its citizens," Dzialowski read from the proclamation.

Carolyn Anderson, representing the Stillwater League of Women Voters, accepted the proclamation and provided historical context about Sunshine Week.

"We honor James Madison for his Bill of Rights, his great work on coming up with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments," Anderson said. "When they wanted to celebrate and publicize the Freedom of Information Act, and in Oklahoma, we have an Open Records Act and an Open Meetings Act."

Anderson noted that while James Madison was born in 1751, the Freedom of Information Act didn't become effective until 1967, signed a year earlier by President Lyndon Johnson. Oklahoma's current Open Meetings Act was signed into law in 1977 by Governor David Boren who recently passed on Feb. 20, 2025.

"I am delighted that you all follow, have been trained and follow and know what open records, sunshine, letting people know what's happening in their democracy," Anderson told the council. "And I thank you and you've all signed pledges and I thank you for that."