Abstract This paper takes a look at citizen police academy programs and describes how they work, how long they have been in use, how they are designed, who uses the programs, and how they benefit police departments and communities.
Outline
What Exactly Is the Program?
How Long Has It Been in Use?
What Is the Design of the Program?
Who Is Presently Engaged in Using This Program?
Has It Met Their Expectations?
How Would It Benefit the Anytown Police Department?
From the Paper "A Citizen's Police Academy program is a series of lessons geared toward the general public concerning the policies and procedure of police work. The intent of any such program is to improve the police-community relationship by providing citizens with exposure to the realities of police work; an auxiliary intent it so improve the attitude of citizens toward the police. Generally, the lessons are two to three hours in length each, once a week, for ten to thirteen weeks. Participants are required to attend, but are not given homework. Often, hands-on experiences or vivid demonstrations are part of the program. Participants may be from any walk of life; instructors are active police officers or representatives from allied public services, such as the public defender's or prosecutor's office."
