The Apopka Police Department hosts a 14-week Citizens Police Academy every year. It is designed to acquaint community residents, who are not sworn Police Officers, with the activities of the agency, and foster public education and service at community-related events. Participants will learn about investigations, SWAT, K-9, and more. These classes are taught by Apopka Police Department Officers and civilian employees.
Applications are now available in the Apopka Police Department lobby for the 2022 Apopka Citizens Police Academy. The academy will begin on February 24, 2022.
Per the City of Apopka's website, "[W]e have a great volunteer organization known as the Apopka Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (ACPAAA), which helps support the mission of the Apopka Police Department. ACPAAA volunteers work throughout the year for events hosted by The City and Apopka Police Department. Each year, our great police volunteers accumulate well over 1000 hours of volunteering. We cannot say enough about these fine men and women who support our agency and our City."
There is no cost for the Citizens Police Academy, but there are certain requirements in order to attend.
For more information on Apopka's Citizen Police Academy, please contact Officer Jason Wiggins at 407-703-1777 or JWiggins@Apopka.net.
The concept of the Citizens’ Police Academy actually started in the United Kingdom in 1977. It began in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, England. A police night school was implemented to allow curious citizens to learn about police functions, police operations, and the organization of the police system in England. The founders received an immediate response from the public. They were soon overwhelmed with applicants wanting to know about “their” police force. The project was so successful that is was permanently
adopted as part of an ongoing police public relations program.
In 1985, the Orlando Police Department adopted the concept of the Police Night School for their agency and created the first Citizens’ Police Academy in the United States. The ultimate goal of the Orlando Citizens’ Police Academy was to reduce crime through a stronger citizen commitment to the police department and the community. Success was instantaneous and a new law enforcement tool was found. Word of the success spread and in that same year Missouri City, Texas joined in and adopted the concept.
Today, you will find Citizens’ Police Academy Programs throughout the United States - but the best one is right here in Apopka (no bias at all!).
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here