Citizen's Police Academy

The Fall Citizen's Police Academy is full.  Look for us in the Spring

What is the Citizen's Police Academy?

The St. Petersburg Police Department has found that education has been most effective in gaining understanding and support from the community. The Citizen's Police Academy offers citizens insights into how police officers perform their duties and how the department serves the community.

Mission of the Academy

The purpose of the Citizen's Police Academy is to foster better communication between citizens and police through education. The academy creates a nucleus of well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services.

Graduates of the academy are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with the community as the opportunity arises. Everyone benefits from enhancing citizen understanding of the role and function of their police department.

Course Description

The academy consists of an eight-week class which meets once a week. Each class consists of a three-hour block of instruction every Monday night from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. This instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the police department each week. Certified police officers, supervisors, and civilian instructors, with particular expertise, will conduct each topic.

The academy is held at the St. Petersburg Police Department, 1300 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL.

All classes are free.

Course Curriculum

• Child Abduction/ Internet Safety
• Tactical Apprehension aadn Control Team
• Homicide Investigations
• Traffic Enforcement (D.U.I.)
• Crime Scene Processing/Forensic
• Communications
• K-9
• Use of Force / Firearm Simulation

  A vital part of the Academy is participation in a variety of "hands-on" learning experiences. Students will also have the option, on a voluntary basis, to "Ride-a-Long" with a patrol officer during his/her shift, or sit with a communication center dispatcher.

Who may attend the Academy?

Any interested citizen who resides or works in the City of St. Petersburg is encouraged to attend. Citizens involved with the community in some way, such as youth involvement, neighborhood watch, and neighborhood groups are very important to the academy.

• Citizens 18 years of age or older.

NOTE:  All applicants are subject to a criminal background check.

How do I apply to the Academy?

An application may be mailed to you by calling 893-7128 or can be picked up at:

St. Petersburg Police Department
Community Awareness Division
1300 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

or by clicking on the printable registration form at the top of this page.

Click here to download Acrobat Reader

For more information, please contact:

ALL COURSES ARE FREE!
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED - APPLY NOW!