SPD Community Outreach Program
"Building Bridges One Community Member at a Time"

Community Police Academy

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY?

The Community Police Academy is a ten-week program designed to educate the public in the operations of the Seattle Police Department, while also giving the Department a chance to obtain valuable feedback from the community. The purpose of the Community Police Academy is to increase understanding between the Seattle Police Department and the community members of Seattle through education and interaction.

Community participants will become familiar with various facets of the Seattle Police Department and gain insight into law enforcement's role in the criminal justice system and the daily work of police employees. With increased understanding, Seattle's community and police can work together and achieve realistic solutions to neighborhood problems relating to crime, fear of crime, and neighborhood decay. It is hoped that increasing community awareness will challenge some of the myths and images of law enforcement and provide a realistic view of police procedures.

COVERED TOPICS DURING THE ACADEMY

Learn first-hand about the role of police officers and the operations of the Department! The course is presented in ten, three hour sessions, offering the following subjects:

• Office of Professional Accountability
• Criminal Justice Process
• Criminal Law, Arrest Procedures, Search and Seizure
• Patrol Operations and Procedures
• 9-1-1 Communications Center
• Crimes Against Property
• Crimes Against Persons
• Officer Safety and Defensive Tactics
• Narcotics
• Arson/Bomb
• Domestic Violence
• Traffic/Parking Enforcement
• Firearms Classroom Training
• Shoot/Don't Shoot
• Bias Crimes
• SWAT/Hostage Negotiations Team
• Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)
• Elder Abuse

Students also have the opportunity to ride along with officers on patrol, visit the 911 Communications Center and listen to calls and dispatches.

Instructors are officers and personnel from the Department who are experts in their fields. The classroom atmosphere is positive and highly interactive. Students are encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics of interest with instructors.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Participants are required to make a commitment to attend the ten-week course. Each two class evening lasts an average of three hours. There are no special eligibility requirements for taking the course, and no registration cost.

Individuals who are active in their communities are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY?

For more information about the Community Police Academy or anyone interested in applying, contact Maggie Olsen at 206-684-8672 or e-mail margaret.olsen@seattle.gov.

Note: All applicants must be backgrounded by SPD.

Download CPA Application: PDF WORD