Glendale Police Department Hosts Armenian-Language Community Academy, Sees Record Turnout

21 hours ago
2 min read

The Glendale Police Department's Armenian-language Community Academy drew a record turnout last week, with dozens of residents filling a special one-day program designed to give Armenian speakers a closer look at how the department operates.

The event introduced participants to police operations, available community resources and the department's role in serving the public. Attendees also toured the police station and met officers and civilian staff.

The traditional Community Academy is offered over eight weeks, but the department condensed the curriculum into a single four-hour session conducted entirely in Armenian.

Every seat was filled, with 40 people attending the class.

Officer Edgar Zabunyan, who was born and raised in Armenia, led the session. He told The Armenian Report that demand far exceeded capacity, with more than 100 applications submitted for the program.

Because of the overwhelming interest, the department is considering holding a second Armenian-language academy for those who could not be accommodated.

Among those attending were Glendale Mayor and Councilmember Ardy Kassakhian and Glendale Police Chief Robert William, who recently became the first Armenian to lead the department in the city's history.

During an interview with The Armenian Report, reporter Anna Kachikyan asked Zabunyan why attendance had grown so dramatically since the department's first Armenian-language academy in 2019, when only about 10 people participated.

"It is actually a very good turnout," Zabunyan said. "Today we have 40 people. I have received almost over 100 applications, as people are requesting to attend it again. So we're thinking about doing a second session to accommodate the rest of this group."

He said growing interest reflects a desire among Armenian residents to better understand policing in their community.

"I think culture is changing," Zabunyan said. "People want to understand what their rights are. People want to understand how the police department in this community operates. At the end of the day, the police department supports the community."

Zabunyan said presenting the academy in Armenian makes the information more accessible to residents who may be less comfortable attending an English-language course.

"This is an eight-week course, and we condensed it to four hours today," he said. "I'm trying to go as quick as I can and provide as much information as I can. It is all done in Armenian."

With more than 100 applications submitted for just 40 spots, the department is considering a second Armenian-language Community Academy. If another session is announced, The Armenian Report will share the registration details ahead of time so readers have an opportunity to sign up.

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