DAVIS COUNTY CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY

PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS

 

Promoting Community Awareness Through Citizen Participation

“Bridging the gap between the Public and Police”

Mission

The goal of the Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is to educate Davis County citizens about the structure and activities of the police department. The CPA is a series of classes designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at their local law enforcement. The CPA program operates on the premise that informed and educated citizens will be more supportive of police officers and the department, which in turn makes them more productive within their own communities.

What is it?

The CPA provides an avenue for community involvement through a first-hand experience of policing. It consists of a series of 13 classes, held once a week for three hours. The instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the Sheriffs Office and Davis County police Departments each week. Due to high demand, CPA classes are offered twice yearly with classes starting in March and in August. Class size is limited to 35 people. Admission to CPA is open to anyone 18 years or older. All applicants are required to pass a thorough background check.
Topics covered in the CPA class include:
  • Overview of the organization and structure
  • Introductions to the various divisions and their responsibilities (such as Narcotics, Traffic, Crime Scene, Crime Prevention, Investigations, K-9, SWAT, Firearms, Gangs, and Homicide)
  • K-9 Unit
  • Defensive Tactics
  • “Sim-gun Scenarios” complete with bandits.
  • Firearms Safety, Instruction & Shooting Practice
Instructors are drawn from the police academy staff, from police officers currently assigned to specific enforcement divisions, and also from Davis County agencies. CPA class members are given an opportunity to observe police patrol work through a three-hour ride-along experience with a patrol officer. On the last day of class, members participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate of completion. Following graduation the citizens are eligible to join the Volunteers in Police Service program (VIPS).
The Citizen Police Academy is a program of citizens and law enforcement officers working together to make Davis County a better and safer place to live and work.