Citizen's Police Academy

CURRENTLY, The FALL 2008 Citizen's Police Academy is still taking applications for this academy session. You can download a Citizens or Youth Academy Application from our site here. ( .pdf format)

The Citizen’s Police Academy was established to promote an understanding of the South Bend Police Department and its policies and procedures. In addition, the academy provides training in all aspects of law enforcement and the issues that face police officers on a daily basis. Our Academy goal is to foster a spirit of cooperation between the city, its citizens and their Police Department. It is hoped that graduates will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a 13 week program held September 16th, 2008 till December 9th, 2008.

The classes are held on Tuesday nights from 6pm-8:30pm. Class size is limited to 40 participants, and is free of charge.

Some of the general topics discussed are:

• Hands on demonstrations from K-9, SWAT and the Bomb Disposal Unit
• Crime Scene Processing ( Learn to dust for fingerprints)
• High Tech Crimes Unit will discuss child dangers of the internet & computer & Technology crime overview
• Shoot, Don’t Shoot simulator (F.A.T.S. simulator)
• Crime Prevention (Identity theft, Personal Safety, Home Safety)
• Narcotics Enforcement
• Patrol Operations
• Communications
• Jail Operation ( Both the County Jail and Juvenile Justice Center)

Potential candidates for the Citizens Police Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18 years old
• No prior felony convictions (Certain Misd. offenses may disqualify you also)
• Subject to criminal history check
  

  2007 CPA Academy class Graduation session.

  
  

The first Citizen's Police Academy was held on April  21, 1998. At the completion of the fall 2007 class, total to date alumni graduates number over 700 citizens. During 2007, There Were 73 Graduates From The Three Different Academies · Two adult academies, one Spring and one Fall, had 45 graduates following the completion of the thirteen week course.

Presenters and Instructors Breakdown:

• 49 individual SBPD officers made themselves available to educate the community citizens on various aspects of the department.
• 7 SBPD civilians or those from outside agencies/organizations assisted in various roles during the each academy.
• 3 members of the SJC Prosecutor's Office also assisted in making presentations during the course of the two academies.

The YOUTH Academy had 28 student graduates (one 6 day week academy). Activities included:

• Oversaw the making of Youth Public Service Announcement commercial on ending school bullying.
• Presenters and Instructors Breakdown: 27 individual SBPD officers made themselves available to educate the high school student on various aspects of the department.
• 5 SBPD civilians or those from outside agencies/organizations assisted in various roles during this academy.
• 3 members of the SJC Prosecutor's Office also assisted in making presentations during the course of the two academies

A total of 749 community citizens have graduated from the South Bend Citizens Police Academies since it's inception in Spring of 1998 through December 2007.


SBPD CPA HISTORY
The first Citizen's Police Academy was held on April 21, 1998. On September 7, 1999 the fourth Academy class was held with an enrollment of 32 community members. At the completion of this current class, total to date alumni graduates number over 400 citizens. These graduates then become members of the alumni association and in turn take on the roles as "Good Will Ambassadors" to pass on the knowledge to others in the community of their experiences through the Police Academy.

The Citizen's Police Academy is a look into the values, philosophy, and operation of the South Bend Police Department. The purpose of the Citizen's Police Academy is to increase understanding of law enforcement's duties and responsibilities which can foster cooperative problem solving between the South Bend Police Department and the Community.

There is no charge for the classes, which are designed to give citizens a taste of the training police officers are provided before they are assigned to duty. The Citizen's Police Academy is designed for the residents of South Bend. The Academy educates citizens about the 'how's and why's' of the police, and the citizen's role in the Community Oriented Policing philosophy.

Students are expected to share this realistic view of the Division with other citizens to improve the efficiency of law enforcement and order maintenance in their neighborhoods through shared responsibilities and resources. The Citizen's Police Academy exists to provide information to the citizens who attend, so they may make informed judgments about the South Bend Police Department, and police activity.

Understanding can dispel suspicions and misconceptions, and increase police/community rapport through this educational process. The police, in turn, become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community through input from the students. This will help to establish open lines of communication and cooperation in our shared goal of achieving the best police service for the citizens of South Bend.

Topics that are covered include:

• USE OF FORCE -- Highlights appropriate use of force, and the hands-on Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). NO LIVE FIREARMS.
• COMMUNICATIONS -- On-site observations of the South Bend Police Department's Communication Center.
• CRIMINAL LAW -- Question and answer session from Introduction to Criminal Law.
• SPECIAL UNIT PRESENTATIONS -- The functions of K-9, SWAT, and the Bomb Squad will be discussed by Unit members during the 10-week course.
• In addition, the opportunity to participate in FATS (Firearms Automated Training System), traffic stop scenarios, and the Department's Ride-Along-Program will be available.

WHEN & WHERE:
The 10-week classes are conducted at the South Bend Police Department, 701 West Sample St, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Comments from members of past Citizen's Academy classes: "I wish every citizen could take this class...informative, enlightening, fun...worthwhile investment of time and energy...very educational...(the class shows) its not like on television...the training that the officer goes through gives me an even greater respect for law enforcement officers."

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be 18 years of age, live or work in the South Bend Police Department service district(city corporate limits), and be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information please contact the Academy coordinators, Cpl. Aaron Cassel (574) 235-9401 or Lt. Richard Powers (574)235-9402.

More photos of past classes coming soon!