The Franklinton Police Department will be hosting a public self-defense class on Jan. 26-27 at police headquarters, located at 409 11th Ave.

The classes are free and open to the public. Instruction time on both days is from 6 until 9 p.m. It is the first self defense class hosted by the department.

“The focus of the course is to show how to avoid a bad incident and then being able to defend yourself as a last resort,” Corp. Brian Davidson said. “There is no age limit, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody younger than high school age.”

Topics will include awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance and progress to the basics of hands-on defense training. Class size is limited.

Along with Davidson, Corp. Bubba Pugh will instruct the class.

Davison said the course covers two days of instruction. He said the first day is mostly classroom instruction, while the second day is more of hands-on, practical teaching.

Dress for the class is athletic/comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.

“I’ve been teaching self defense for years,” Davidson said. “We did this three or four times per year when I was with the sheriff’s department in Jones County, Miss. We got good feedback up there with it. We’ve wanted to do it here but got tied up with caseloads.”

Individuals who are interested in taking the class must preregister by contacting Davidson at 985-205-5884 or Pugh at 985-614-0355.