Cincinnati Police Academy
Citizens Police Academy (CPA) Program
History
The concept of a Citizens Police Academy originated in England in 1974. The first known Citizens Police Academy in the United States was held in Orlando, Florida in 1985. The Cincinnati Police Department began offering a Citizens’ Police Academy in 1994.
Since that time, the Cincinnati Police Academy has held 41 CPA programs and currently offers a CPA four times each year. Some special CPA programs have been offered as well. The Police Academy has organized a CPA program for a Mental Health Consumers organization, provided CPAs targeted at Mental Health Professionals, provided Student Police Academy’s for young people, and in 2003, the Police Academy organized its first Hispanic Citizen Police Academy with over 90 people in attendance.
About the Program
The Cincinnati Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy is eight weeks in length, with each session lasting about three hours. Topics covered include an Organization Overview, Internal Investigations, Cincinnati SWAT Team, Terrorism Early Warning Group, Laws of Arrest, Criminal Investigation Process, Mental Health Response Team, Gangs, Domestic Violence, Drug Awareness, Traffic Contacts, Use of Force, and Personal Safety. Participants will also have a chance to experience the role of a police officer through the Firearms Simulator.
Participants are offered the opportunity to do a police ride-a-long and/or spend some time in the Police Communications Center as a part of the program.
Program Structure
The CPA meets once each week for eight weeks. Each evening’s program last approximately three hours. Light snacks and drinks are available. Participants with good attendance records will receive a certification of completion.
The CPA will expose citizens to a number of current law enforcement issues. It is not our intention to train citizens to take police action or perform law enforcement duties, but to provide them with an overview of the training received and functions performed by our officers. Training is provided by Cincinnati Police Officers who have experience in the related subject areas. The interaction that takes place during the Citizens’ Police Academy benefits both the citizens of the Cincinnati community and the Cincinnati Police Department.
Questions may be directed to Captain Paul F. Broxterman, Jr., Training Section Commander, at 352-3562.
