Police Department Invites Citizens to Join 10-Week Academy

The Alexandria Police Department invites residents to learn more about their organization by participating in a 10-week Alexandria Citizens Police Academy.

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 curriculum covers the core elements that are "essential for participants to gain a greater understanding of police operations," according to a statement from the department.

The departmentn hopes that by participating, residents can make more informed judgments about the Alexandria Police Department and its daily operations. The Police Department says it is concurrently able to acquire a greater understanding of the views and concerns of the community through an enhanced relationship with the public.

The academy will be held every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m.to 10 p.m. at the Police Department’s headquarters at 3600 Wheeler Ave. in the Community Room. Classes begin on Sept. 5 and will end with a formal graduation ceremony on Nov. 14.

The deadline for applications is Aug. 15.

The program is offered free of charge, however as a condition of participating in the Citizens Police 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 or Project SafeAssured.

Class size is limited to 20 participants and applicants are accepted on a first come first serve basis.  Participants of the Citizens Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age and live or work in the city. Criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants for final approval of acceptance.

For more information on the Citizens Police Academy or to request an application, visit www.alexandriava.gov/police or email the Volunteer Office at Virginia.obranovich@alexandriava.gov.