Citizens Police Academy

Overview

The purpose of the Citizens Police Academy is to familiarize citizens with the operations of the police department. This includes classes on patrol procedures, criminal law, narcotics, search and seizure, tactical operations, investigations, juvenile law, firearms demonstration, emergency vehicle operations, use of force issues, and police canine demonstration. Participants also have the option to ride with a patrol officer and witness the street-activity our officers encounter on a day-to-day basis.

The concept of the Citizens Police Academy was developed in 1977 by the Devon and Cornwall, England Constabulary. The idea came about when citizens told their local police agencies that they were anxious to learn about how their police department operated. Once the agency decided to explore the possibility, it became apparent that there was enough of an interested base to move forward with the program.  

The first law enforcement agency in the United States to adopt the program was the Orlando Police Department (Florida) in 1985. Since then, numerous agencies of all sizes throughout the country have adopted a version of the Citizen's Police Academy.

The objective of the Citizens Police Academy is not to create quasi-cops, but to produce informed citizens. The academy is intended to open lines of communication between the community and the police department.  By allowing citizens a firsthand look at the police department and how its operations are handled, citizens take away a better understanding of the police's role in the community. Additionally, citizens bring a wealth of knowledge about their community and, particularly, the problems in their neighborhoods. In this way, police are able to learn and better understand the concerns of the citizens.

Requirements  

1.         Applicant must be 16 years of age.
2.         Applicant can not have any felony convictions.
3.         Applicant can not have any misdemeanor convictions within the last three years.
4.         Applicant must pass a background check conducted by the Noblesville Police Department.
5.         Applicant must reside or be employed in Noblesville.

Course Schedule (subject to change)

This program is a twelve-week course. Two sessions are conducted each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.  

The Noblesville Police Department has established a list of topics of interest and educational benefit for the students participating in the Academy. From time to time, the class syllabus may be altered in order to accommodate the special needs of instructors/presenters.

*Classes are generally held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at the Noblesville Police Department. (Class presentations are subject to change)

Week 1   Welcome Overview of the Academy NPD Organizational Chart & Policing Philosophy Budget / Year-end Report NPD Building Tour   Week 2   Accreditation Internal Affairs / Complaint Process Police Merit Commission Recruitment & Applicant Selection Process Basic Course Training & FTO Program   Week 3   Patrol Division Overview Police Vehicle  & In-Car Equipment Demonstration Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit    Week 4   Criminal Investigation Overview Crime Scene Investigation Drones  Criminal Intelligence   Week 5   Support Division Overview School Resource Officers (SRO) Program Community Outreach Programs Chaplaincy Program Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS)   Week 6   Narcotics Investigations K-9 Demonstrations Week 7   Professional Standards Division Overview Public Relations and the Media VirTra   Week 8   Use of Force Continuum Use of Force Reporting Weapons Demonstration (OC, Taser, Baton, Shield, Restraints) Officers Killed in the Line of Duty Statistics   Week 9   Emergency Services Unit (ESU) Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU)   Week 10   Emergency Response and Pursuit Driving Pursuit Intervention Devices Traffic Unit (Strategies & Statistics)    Week 11   Tour of Hamilton County Communications Center Tour of Hamilton County Jail   Week 12   Graduation Dinner Open Discussion / Evaluation Class Photo and Certificate Presentation

 

The next sessions are scheduled for: 

 

Spring 2024		Fall 2024
-Class Full-		-Slots Available-
February 7  - May 1, 2024		September 11 - November 25, 2024
Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm		Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Click here to fill out an Online Application

Click here to view a Printable Application Form

 

Please complete this form and return it to:   Noblesville Police Department 135 South 9th Street Noblesville, Indiana 46060 ATTN: Citizen's Police Academy Coordinator Lt. Bruce Barnes or Fax:  (317) 776-6388 or [email protected]

For more information please call the Citizens Police Academy Coordinator Lt. Bruce Barnes at (317) 776-6340.

 

ALL COURSES ARE FREE!

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED - APPLY NOW!