The City of Washington, Illinois

Citizen's Police Academy

CHIEF McCOY IS PROUD TO OPEN THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR THE 2018 SESSION. THE CLASS WILL MEET WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM STARTING AUGUST 1st. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.  A TOTAL OF 15 SLOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

• WHAT IS IT - The Citizen Police Academy is an eight week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Washington Police Department. It consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls. The classes will provide an overview of the various areas of law enforcement. It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the City of Washington. Classes are taught by our own police officers in their various areas of expertise.
• GOALS- This program was developed as an extension of Community Policing Philosophy. Among our goals of the Citizen Police Academy is to help the residents of Washington to better understand how the police work in their community. It is hoped that all graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing that duty. Another goal is to build relationships between members of the Police Department and the community in order to assist in our Community Policing efforts.
• WHY - The Washington Police Department is committed to the philosophy of Community Policing. The Citizen Police Academy will provide a forum to improve the line of communication between the police and the community. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to quality of life issues that face our community. Graduates will be able to take their knowledge back into their neighborhoods where they can inform other community members about the Police Department.
• BENEFITS - Community members will become much more informed about the Washington Police Department, which will provide for a better understanding of what the police can and cannot do. The police and the citizens benefit by meeting each other face-to-face in a neutral, friendly setting. Participating citizens get to know the person behind the badge. Police are exposed to citizens, who instead of demanding something, are interacting with them in a non-confrontational environment. As a result, police officers and citizens foster an improved relationship with increased respect for one another. Community leaders and activists can enhance their leadership efforts by gaining a better understanding of their police department.
• WHO CAN ATTEND - Individuals who apply for the Citizen Police Academy must be at least 18 years of age. They must also either live or work in the City of Washington. Applicants will be subject to a background check and will be informed in writing as to whether they have been accepted, denied, or placed on a waiting list for a future class.
  WHAT IT IS NOT The Citizen Police Academy is not designed to make participants certified police officers. The contents of this course are of an informative nature only and it is not intended that the graduates have the authority of or act as police officers.

Class Topics

• Mechanics of 911 calls
• Traffic Stops
• D.U.I. Enforcement
• Rapid Response / Mass shooting incidents
• Patrol Functions
• Criminal and Cyber Investigations
• Community Policing
• Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (C.I.E.R.T.)
• D.A.R.E. / Juvenile Law Overview
• Use of Force/Arrest Procedures
• Drug Identification
• Emotional Survival
• Firearms Training Scenarios
• Defensive Tactics

Available Police Academy Forms

Citizen Police Academy - Rules of Conduct  | Citizen Police Academy Application  | Citizen's Police Academy - Release of Liability