The Chapel Hill Police Department takes pride in the delivery of excellent police services to the community we serve. Chief Curran, as part of expanding community policing efforts, initiated the implementation of a Citizens Police Academy for the citizens of Chapel Hill. The Citizens Police Academy is a 10-week program designed to introduce participants to the inner workings of their police department. While meeting one night per week, Tuesdays from 6:30 – 9:30, participants will receive information on topics including:
• Basic Law Enforcement Training
• The Criminal Justice Process
• Patrol Operations
• Traffic Enforcement
• Use of Force
• Firearms
• Investigations
• Crisis Unit
• K-9 Unit
• Gangs
• Community Services
• Special Emergency Response
Successful completion of the Citizens Police Academy does not certify participants as police officers or give them police powers. What it does do is provide the opportunity for graduates to gain a better understanding of the daily operations of the police department and, conversely, the police department to become more aware of community feelings of safety and police department response.
The Citizens Police Academy is open to residents of Chapel Hill who meet the following minimum requirements:
• Minimum age of 18
• No felony convictions.*
• No misdemeanor convictions within one year of application.*
*Applicants will undergo a background check.
If you are interested in attending the Citizens Police Academy scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, please print an application and waiver form using the link below, complete the application and have both forms notarized and submit by Friday, March 12, 2010, to the address below:
Officer Mark Geercken
Chapel Hill Police Department - Community Services
828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Citizens Police Academy Application
Applicants will be notified via mail of their acceptance into the academy. Class size is limited to 20 participants and a minimum of 10 will be required to begin the class. For more information you can contact Officer Mark Geercken at 919-932-2929 or by email at mgeercken@townofchapelhill.org.
Thank you for your interest in the Chapel Hill Police Department and our Citizens Police Academy.