ARLINGTON, VA—The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for the 24th Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is an educational program designed to create better understanding and communication between police and the community they serve.
According to the county police department, the intent of the CPA is to make participants aware of how the Arlington County Police Department operates and its role in the community. Participants are given an opportunity to increase their understanding of how police officers are trained and to experience the working environment of a police officer.
Some of the topics of covered in the CPA curriculum include: police hiring, legal considerations, use of force, mental health and crisis interventions, homelessness, business outreach, criminal investigations, the K9 unit, tactical operations, and patrol operations. The CPA will be an interactive, discussion-based learning experience featuring panel discussions, as well as practical exercises and hands-on training.
Program Information
The CPA is a ten-week program beginning on Thursday, September 17, 2020. Classes are presented by officers, civilian staff, and volunteers of the police department and participants will have an opportunity to share their concerns and questions about how the department functions.
Classes will be held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at an Arlington County facility large enough to allow for social distancing and maintain compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. All attendees must wear a face covering during the sessions. One session will take place on a Saturday at an off-site location, outside of Arlington County. To receive a graduation certificate, participants must attend at least 8 out of 10 sessions.
Applicants
Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no felony convictions, and should live, work, attend school, or be otherwise affiliated or engaged with Arlington community organizations. Due to the nature of the material covered in the CPA, a background check will be completed on each applicant. Class size is limited, and every effort will be made to maintain a balanced enrollment reflective of the Arlington’s diverse community. Online applications are due no later than Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 5 p.m.
For more information about the CPA, contact the Department’s Training and Career Development Unit at 703-228-4247 or [email protected]
This article originally appeared on the Arlington Patch
