By Kiara Velez, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
For more than 30 years, the Apopka Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association has been working alongside the Apopka Police Department. It's been a powerful source of help for the community.
The Apopka Citizens Police Academy is a 14-week program hosted by the Apopka Police Department and designed to educate civilians who want to learn and experience what the field is like. While the course doesn't aim to make civilians into police officers, it does offer insights into the challenges police face and what law enforcement officers do daily.
"I hope that those who attend gain a better understanding of what law enforcement does and see our abilities," said Apopka Police Chief Michael McKinley.
Volunteers assist in various community events, from traffic control at parades to patrolling neighborhoods as part of the Citizens on Patrol program.
The academy covers many topics, including patrol procedures, forensics, defensive tactics, and crime scene investigations. One of the highlights is the use of interactive, life-like training simulations, where participants experience the high-stress decision-making scenarios that law enforcement officers face regularly. Volunteers also help with crime prevention efforts, such as monitoring high school football games after a series of car break-ins.
Rod Olsen, a vice president of the ACPAAA, emphasizes the importance of this volunteer work, noting that members spend considerable time assisting with events, driving marked police vehicles, and even patrolling.
"I do 8-10 hours a week, usually two days a week," he says. "It's a way of giving back to the community."
In fact, 75% of academy graduates join the Alumni Association, continuing their involvement with the department long after completing the program. Volunteers provide valuable support and help extend the department's reach by becoming ambassadors for the police.
The world of law enforcement has evolved over the last few decades, and the Apopka Police Department is no exception. McKinley notes that there have been significant advancements, such as the expansion of the forensics unit and the department's partnership with federal task forces to combat drug transit patterns.
In the past, officers might have trained in local facilities, but today, they attend national training courses, including programs hosted by agencies like the FBI. The goal is to ensure that officers and volunteers are equipped with the best knowledge and skills available to tackle emerging challenges in law enforcement.
One of the primary goals of the Citizens Police Academy is to help people understand the complexities of law enforcement and to humanize the officers who serve their community.
"You don't know what [officers] just came from," said Olsen.
Police officers often deal with the most intense and violent situations, and the academy provides a glimpse into the pressures they face. Olsen reflects on how the training and the volunteer work have allowed him to see law enforcement from a unique perspective.
"It's amazing, but it's also scary to think about the situations first responders have to respond to."
Volunteers like Olsen are given the tools to understand the daily realities of police. Their work on patrol or assisting with community events allows them to offer additional eyes and ears to the department, which is especially important in a city like Apopka, which spans 35 square miles—the second largest of any city in Orange County.
The next Citizens Police Academy course begins on February 20th, 2025, and runs for 14 weeks. Those interested in registering can apply online through the official Apopka Police Department website or obtain registration forms in person.
For additional information or questions, prospective participants can contact Sgt. Mark Creaser at the Apopka Police Department or email the Community Policing division. This hands-on educational experience provides participants with a deeper understanding of law enforcement and an opportunity to make a real difference in the community by joining the ACPAAA.
The Apopka Police Department encourages all residents interested in learning more about law enforcement to participate in this enriching experience. Whether as an attendee or a volunteer, it's a chance to contribute to the safety and well-being of the entire community.
Registration Link: Apopka Police Department Citizens Police Academy
