Palo Alto Police Accepting Applications For Citizens Police Academy

PALO ALTO, CA -- The Palo Alto Police Department is now accepting applications from the public for its next residents police academy. The deadline to apply is coming soon, though.

The Basic Citizens Police Academy is an eight-week course designed to foster increased understanding and communication between community members and the police. Instructors are public safety employees who present on topics such as patrol procedures, laws of arrest, search and seizure, community relations, criminal investigations, evidence collection, police accountability, use of force and officer safety, disaster preparedness, and more. Students are also able to go on a ride-along with a patrol officer, participate in a “sit-along” with our public safety dispatchers, and experience a force options video simulator.

The academy offers participants detailed insight into how our Department operates and how we serve the community. It creates well-informed community members who possess greater knowledge of police practices and services. Everyone benefits from increased communication and mutual understanding, including our officers.

The Citizens Police Academy runs for eight consecutive Wednesday nights, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at various City of Palo Alto facilities, beginning on April 19 and ending on June 7. There's also a kick-off event that occurs on Monday, April 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no cost for participation, but the class is limited to 25 students.

Applications are due no later than Wednesday, March 22.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, live or work in Palo Alto or the immediate surrounding community, be free of felony convictions, not have a misdemeanor conviction within the past year, and be able to successfully complete a criminal background check. After submitting the written application, applicants will have an interview with the Citizens Police Academy coordinator before the criminal background check is performed. Preference is given to Palo Alto residents, community members who work in Palo Alto, and people employed by the City of Palo Alto.

Those interested in participating may download a Basic Citizens Police Academy application at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/53218. Completed applications should be e-mailed to pd@cityofpaloalto.org, sent via U.S. Mail to the Palo Alto Police Department (attention to Citizens Police Academy), or dropped off at the front desk of the police station from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday.

For questions or additional information, e-mail pd@cityofpaloalto.org.

Image via Palo Alto police