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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- What gives a police officer the right to arrest someone or to search someone’s home or vehicle?

That was the topic during Tuesday night’s Kirksville Citizens’ Police Academy.

Adair County Prosecuting Attorney, Matt Wilson, was the guest speaker. He explained the laws of arrest, search and seizures.

Something he believes is an important aspect to the academy.

“People not in law enforcement don’t have a full understanding of everything that goes on,” Wilson said. “The process of how decisions are made both when we charge someone and for the disclosing of cases, it can get pretty complicated.”

The three hour lecture was not only packed with facts, but Wilson also provided examples of cases so students were able to get a better understanding on how things work.

“The most important thing I want students to get out of this class is a better understanding of the general process,” Wilson said. “You know from start to finish, how a case is created through evidence, searches and seizures. Then the decisions that are made at my office and how it gets to the court system and what we do to resolve a case.”

Afterward, Wilson took time to talk about his job and what he does on a daily basis which includes several hours in the courtroom each week.

Next week students will take a closer look at accident investigations as well as get an inside look of the Adair County Jail.