[Archived] Alexandria Police Department Accepting Applications for the 35th Session of the Police Citizens Academy

Alexandria Police Department Accepting Applications for the 35th Session of the Police Citizens Academy

Get to know your Police Department!  The 10-week Alexandria Police Citizens Academy provides an opportunity for residents to learn about various aspects of the Police Department, such as administrative philosophy, internal policies and the guiding principles of law and ethical conduct governing the delivery of police services.  Classes are a combination of lecture and interactive activities. Class topics will include patrol operations, gangs, crime prevention, crime scene investigations, criminal investigations and the Special Operations Team. 

The academy will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m.to 10:00 p.m. at the Police Department’s Headquarters at 3600 Wheeler Ave in the Community Room, located on the 1^st floor.  Classes begin on March 9, 2016 and will end with a formal graduation ceremony on May 18, 2016.

The program is offered free of charge, however as a condition of participating in the Police Citizens’ Academy, each participant will be asked to volunteer for a minimum of 10 hours per year post graduation.  This would involve events such as assisting with parades, road races, National Night Out, Project SafeAssured, etc.

Class size is limited to about twenty participants.  Due to the popularity of the class, we also ask that participants commit to attending all 10 sessions.  Participants of the Citizens Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age and live or work in the City of Alexandria.  In addition, Criminal History checks will be conducted on all applicants for final approval of acceptance.

The curriculum covers the core elements that are essential for participants to gain a greater understanding of police operations.  As a result of their participation, residents can make more informed judgments about the Alexandria Police Department and its daily operations. The Police Department is simultaneously able to acquire a greater understanding of the views and concerns of the community through an enhanced relationship with the public.

For more information on the Citizens Police Academy or to request an application, visit www.alexandriava.gov/police or e-mail the Volunteer Office at Virginia.obranovich@alexandriava.gov.  The deadline for registrations is February 15, 2016.