CURRICULUM AND COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course of instruction has been designed to familiarize citizens with the administrative philosophy, internal policies, and guiding principles of law and ethical conduct governing the deliver of police services within out community.

The Citizen Academy curriculum is a substantially shortened version of the basic training curriculum presented to new police officers as a part of their pre-service education and training. Although shortened, the Citizen Academy curriculum retains the core elements of basic police officer training believed to be essential for citizens who wish to gain a better understanding of police officers and police operations.

This program will provide (30) hours of scheduled classroom instruction. The primary objectives of the Citizen Police Academy apply to both citizen and the Police Department. The objectives are as follows:

As a result of participation, the citizen will be able to make more informed judgments about the
Police Department and its daily operations.
The Police Department will become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community.
A more harmonious climate for relationships between citizens and police personnel will be
achieved.

Additionally we have added four hands on electives that allow the student to participate in live training exercises such as Emergency Vehicle Operations and Firearms Safety classes. Electives are usually done on Saturdays and are spread throughout the course.

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction / Orientation (2 hours)

This short introduction is held on the first night and will provide background related to the development of the Citizen Police Academy and will acquaint class members with the Academy's major goals and objectives. Course booklets will be distributed along with other materials members will require in relation to participation. In particular, the procedures to be followed regarding general and elective class attendance will be covered. This class is not part of the 30-hour core.

Training

Particular emphasis will be placed on the high civil liability training topics including: automobile operation, defensive tactics, police firearms, emergency medical services and the laws pertaining to arrest, search and seizure. The citizen will gain insight to the training and development of police officers, from their basic classroom preparation through the years following the officer’s completion of field training and evaluation.

Graduation (1 hour)

The week following the last class there is normally a graduation ceremony where certificates are presented. This class is not part of the 30-hour core.

Current Core Curriculum

Chaplin Service (1 hour)

The class will receive a presentation by the Departmental Chaplain on their duties and responsibilities.

Community Policing and Collaborative Problem Solving (2 hours)

This class will discuss the department’s community policing philosophy, its mission and the collaboration between law enforcement and the community.

Criminal Investigation (2 hour)

This class will introduce the Academy participants to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Department. The citizen will gain general information regarding how cases are assigned to investigators and the importance of solvability factors in determining case clearance. The various units of the Division will be introduced as well as special programs, such as Crime Stoppers and Victims Assistance.

Community Services (1 hour)

This class will familiarize participants with the duties and responsibilities of the Departments Community Services.

WMD Response to Terrorism (3 hours)

This class will bring the students up to date on the current methods of responding to threats of weapons of mass destruction.

Defensive Tactics/Non-Deadly Force (2 hours)

This class will familiarize participants with the self-defense training the officers undergo to defend themselves and others.

Patrol Procedures (1 hours)

This class will acquaint the student with the procedures and tactics used by the line officers.

Mechanics of Arrest: Vehicle Stops

This class will explain the responsibilities of citizens being stopped by a law enforcement officer. Citizens will learn why officers refer to traffic stops as Known risks and Unknown risks situations. The focus will be on what to do and what not to do during a stop by police.

Field Interrogations

This class will familiarize participants with the process of field interrogations, when and why they are performed.

Traffic Unit (1 hour)

This unit of instruction will acquaint participants with the educational, enforcement, and investigative functions of the Police Traffic Unit. The Department=s philosophy concerning enforcement of traffic laws and regulations will be discussed, as will the police role in traffic accident investigations. Participants will gain an enhanced understanding of the importance of traffic regulations and why enforcement is considered necessary.

Mounted Patrol (1 hour)

This will be an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Mounted Horse Patrol.

K-9 Unit (1 hour)

This will be an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the K-9 unit.

Gang Awareness (3 hours)

This unit will acquaint Academy participants with the nature and scope of work performed by the Gang Unit. The issues of child abuse and neglect, family violence, and gang activity are some of the issues to be introduced and discussed in this class.

Project Cease Fire (2 hours)

This class is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s office and ATF. The class covers federal gun laws and prosecution. The course also focuses on how to keep guns away from children.

Bomb Squad (1 hour)

This unit will acquaint participants on the equipment as well as the duties and responsibilities of the Bomb Squad.

Crime Scene Preservation (2 hours)

This class will acquaint citizens with the major functions of the Police Lab. The importance of protecting crime scenes will be stressed and guidelines will be provided regarding what citizens can do to help protect the scene and the evidence it may contain.

Vice and Narcotics (1 hour)

This will be an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the Vice / Narcotics Unit. The suppression of vice related activities, enforcement of laws related to alcoholic beverages, and the continuing challenge of controlled substance enforcement will be presented and discussed.

Traffic Safety (3 hours)

This class will familiarize the students with traffic accident investigation, DUI enforcement and operation of the Radar Unit.

S.W.A.T. (3 hours)

This class will familiarize citizens with the different special groups the department uses for unusual occurrences. It will provide information on the SWAT and Civil Disturbance Teams.

Electives

Emergency Vehicle Operations and Precision Driving ( 8 hours)

This elective course will enable the student to understand the legal requirements of operating an emergency vehicle and the policies in place. Students will actually operate a emergency vehicle in a controlled environment with a certified instructor on the department's driving course.

Firearms Safety Class (Concealed Permit Weapons Training) (8 hours)

Participants will have an opportunity to receive the state mandated training for a concealed weapons permit and participate in live fire on the department's range.

Patrol Operations Practical (4 hours)

Participants will have the opportunity to ride with a police officer during an actual shift.

Police Operations/ 911 Center Tour (4 hours)

Participants will have the opportunity to tour various police facilities and the 911 Communication Center.

* Note classes are subject to change due to instructor and facility availability.