Want to Ride in a Police Cruiser?

Ever wondered what the police really do every day? Here is the chance to learn.

The members of the invite town residents to participate in the Grafton Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy (CPA) which will begin April 14. 

The CPA will meet on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Grafton Police Headquarters, 28 Providence Road.  There will be a total of 10 classes including graduation.

The Citizen Police Academy is an important component of the Grafton Police Department’s community policing and public outreach program.  Its purpose is to provide a forum for participants to develop a basic understanding of how the police department functions.  It will also provide opportunities for ongoing communication between members of the community and the police department.

Each three-hour session will cover a variety of subjects including: Grafton Police history and tour of the police station, patrol procedures, search and seizure, special tactics, motor vehicle laws, accident reconstruction, drug identification/enforcement and trends, domestic violence, crime scene investigation, driving while intoxicated enforcement, firearms law/safety including range use and a tour of the Worcester County House of Correction. 

During each session, participants will be able to ask questions and interact with academy instructors. 

An integral component of the CPA is the participation in a police patrol ride-along. This  will be scheduled to take place outside normal class time at a mutually convenient time for staff and participants. 

A two-hour time slot will be arranged for the participant to ride and accompany the patrol officer on service calls.  This unique experience is important in creating a true understanding of what an officer’s job is like and contributes to an exciting and interactive learning experience.

Participants are asked to miss no more than two classes.  Upon successful completion of the Citizen Police Academy, each participant will be invited to attend the graduation ceremony.  

The CPA is free. Enrollment is limited to 30 students. 
 
Potential candidates must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Grafton
• Have no felony convictions (must consent to a background check)
• Have no misdemeanor convictions within one year of application.

Citizen Police Academy application forms are available at the Grafton Police Department located at 28 Providence Road.  They may also be downloaded from the Citizen Police Academy application link at  www.graftonpolice.com. 

Completed applications should be returned no later than April 8 to the Grafton Police Department c/o Lt. Wayne Tripp.  You will be contacted to confirm participation.  

For more information, contact Lt. Tripp, the Citizen Police Academy coordinator, at  508-839-2858, ext. 125.