Getting to Know Edina's Finest

Do police actually like doughnuts as much as everyone thinks they do?

It's one of life's great mysteries.

Have you always wondered how an officer determines whether to use a Taser or draw down on a suspect with a handgun? Would you like to know what goes into training a police dog? Or maybe you're just curious how many traffic citations Edina officers write in the average year—it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 20,000.

Whatever drew you in, the goal of Behind the Blue Line is to provide a unique look at the . Whether it's getting to meet the SWAT team or learning how crime scenes are actually investigated, we'll be showcasing a new aspect of the department for the next 10 weeks.

The series will largely follow the structure of the 2011 Citizens' Academy, which is open to anyone living or working in Edina. And if you're bummed that you missed out on the opportunity to participate in the academy, don't fret: another round of classes is likely right around the corner.

Be sure to check back every week for another episode of Behind the Blue Line and take a few moments to leave a comment or two about what you'd like to see us focus on with future installments.