CSPD Announces the Spring 2015 Citizens’ Academy starting March 5, 2015. The Colorado Springs Police Department Citizens’ Academy educates citizens about the duties and responsibilities, as well as the policies and procedures, of the department, and the citizen’s role in the interaction of citizens and police through a series of twelve classes. In addition to helping the citizens better understand the police department, it in turn helps the police department better understand the citizens and their concerns.

The Citizens’ Academy covers many topics related to law enforcement in our community including: hiring, training, patrol division (basic police equipment, special response team, narcotics, DUI, laws) communications division (call taking and dispatching), criminal investigations division (crime scene investigation, major crimes, financial crimes), gangs, sexual assault, K-9, SWAT, Internal Affairs and many more. Participation in a “ride-along” program is also available where students can actually ride along with patrol officers to see the world through their eyes. These classes are instructed by police personnel. Students that graduate receive a certificate at a graduation ceremony.

The Citizens’ Academy meets once a week on Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for 11 weeks. The Academy is held at the various police facilities depending on the type of training being conducted. Although there is no cost to the student, a substantial time commitment is required from the student. Students are expected to attend all of the sessions. Anyone who lives or works in the City of Colorado Springs, is at least 18 years of age, and passes a background investigation may apply for the Citizens’ Academy.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring 2015 class which begins on Thursday, March 5, 2015. Deadline for applications is February 20, 2015. The application form can be found online; http://www.springsgov.com/units/police/CitizensAcademy.asp.