NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol is taking applications for the fall class of its Citizens' Trooper Academy for classes to be held in Nashville and Jackson.

The academy provides about 30 hours of training and is designed to give the community a better understanding of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and its parent agency, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics to be covered include investigations, special operations, homeland security and others areas of the patrol.

This is the first academy to be held in Jackson.

The Nashville class's first session will be Sept. 16. The Jackson class is to start Sept. 18. Sessions run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekly for both cities.

The deadline for registration is Aug. 20.

For more information, visit http://www.tn.gov/safety.