Citizen's Police Academy

What is the Citizen's Police Academy?

The Salt River Police Department is very pleased to provide the community with an inside look at our practice of local law enforcement through our Citizen Police Academy. The program is comprised of 9 sessions designed to give participants an overview of the department and its functions, responsibilities and operational procedures. Classes are taught by police officers, police executives and highly specialized civilian employees of the SRPD. In addition, citizens have the opportunity to interact with the Chief of Police and other members of the Department.

Throughout the academy, classes are conducted in a variety of formats. These may consist of demonstrations, discussions, lectures and interactive exercises.

Spring 2009 Citizen's Academy Class #6

There is no cost involved and all class materials are provided to participants. Classes cover a variety of topics such as:

• Salt River Police History
• Recruitment and Training
• Police/Fire Communications
• Salt River Department of Corrections
• Criminal Investigations
• Evidence Gathering
• Driving under the influence
• Community Policing
• School Resource Officers/Explorers
• Gangs
• Narcotics

Activities and demonstrations include:

• Simulated traffic stop/scenarios
• K-9 demonstration
• Salt River Rangers
• Ride a-longs

When Are the Academy Classes?

The Salt River Police Department offers the Citizen's Police Academy once a year in the Spring. Citizen's Police Academy classes meet one night per week, 2.5 hours per session, for nine weeks. Most of the classes are held at the Salt River Police Department District Stations or at the Salt River High School. Graduation Night is held on the last week of the Citizen's Police Academy.

Participants who have successfully completed the course, will receive a Certificate of Completion and a special memento of the SRPD Citizen's Police Academy.

Classes are held on Thursdays. The Spring 2010 class starts on Thursday, April 1, 2010 and continues through May 27, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. An application deadline is set for each Citizen's Police Academy session. Call the Salt River Police Department at 480-850-8200 for further information.

If you have missed an application deadline, send in your completed application. We will include you on our waiting list and contact you for the next Citizen’s Police Academy.

How Do I Apply?

Pick up and complete the application form and turn into the Salt River Police Department or mail to:

The Salt River Police Department
C/O Sgt. Norman Wellington and/or Officer Rodman Lasley
10005 East Osborn Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256

How Am I Selected?

Citizen's Police Academy participants are selected through an application process conducted by the SRPD staff and approved by the Chief of Police.

Each Citizen's Academy class has a limited enrollment. Candidates for the Citizen's Police Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Be 21-years of age or older
• Live or work on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Have no felony convictions
• Be able to attend at least 7 of the 9 classes
• Sign a Participation Waiver form

Any requirement may be waived or modified upon the review and approval of the Chief of Police.

Note: The SRPD Citizen's Police Academy is in no way designed to train participants to act as law enforcement officers.