What is the Citizen’s Police Academy?

The Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) is an eight-week program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Unified Police Department. It consists of a series of classroom discussions and hands-on scenarios. Training is held one evening a week. There is one academy class in the Fall. Each class size is limited to approximately 30 students. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls, other than your full commitment to attend each week.

The goal of the CPA is to create a better understanding, improve communication, and partnership with the community and the Unified Police Department through education. Community Oriented Policing plays an important role in reducing crime in any community. Therefore the UPD instituted the CPA to improve communication and obtain input and support throughout the communities we serve. It is our hope that graduates of the CPA become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the issues that are affecting our community.

Who attends the CPA?

Community members in the service area of the Unified Police Department are all openly invited to enroll. Preference will be given to those living and working in our jurisdictions.

Previous attendees have been; community council members, neighborhood watch members, teachers, bankers, homemakers, business owners, lawyers, students and others. People from all walks of life and with a variety of history with law enforcement have participated in and benefited from the academy.

When do classes meet?

The Unified Police Department host one academy sessions per year (August – November). They meet in the evening hours, one night a week.

The next class is scheduled for Fall of 2024. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning early September

What subjects are covered?

Classes may include, but are not limited to:

• Dispatch
• Crime Lab
• Non-Lethal Weapons
• Canine
• SWAT / Special Operations
• Traffic Stops / High-Risk Stops
• Violent Crimes
• Special Victims Unit
• Domestic Violence
• Building Searches
• Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CAR Team)
• Scenarios (Day in the Life)

Do I Graduate with a certification?

The CPA is an educational tool only. At the end of the course participants will have a better knowledge of how the UPD works and what a police officer does on a day-to-day basis. There are no certifications given during this course.

What is the cost?

The CPA is a free class we offer to residents living or working within our jurisdiction. The only thing we ask is for your full commitment to attend each week.

How do I participate?

The Citizen’s Police Academy is limited to approximately 30 people per class and there is one class offered per year. Your name will go on a waiting list, if there are no seats available in the upcoming class.

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