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Citizens' Police Academy

The Spring 2008 Citizens Academy is FULL. Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2008 session, which begins in September.

The Columbia Police Department offers a ten week Citizens' Police Academy to the citizens of Columbia. The academy is designed to enhance the Columbia Police Department’s active partnership with the community. For far too long, the police have operated with a perceived air of secrecy that was detrimental to positive Police/community relations. Critical to the success of this partnership is well informed citizens who have an awareness of the mission, resources, practices, and services of their police department.

Topics addressed in the Academy include:

• Community Policing
• Patrol Activities
• Officer Selection & Training
• K-9
• Tactical Operations/Crisis Negotiation
• Drug Enforcement
• Major Crimes Unit/Crime Scene Processing
• Traffic Enforcement/DWI/Accident Investigation
• Internal Affairs
• Domestic Violence Enforcement Officer
• Survival/Use of Force/Firearms
• And much more!

The academy has four goals that we try to accomplish:

• To allow you the opportunity to increase your knowledge of the duties, procedures and responsibilities that officers of the Columbia Police Department perform daily.
• To bridge the gap that has traditionally existed between the police and the community.
• To provide you through this instruction a new frame of reference that will allow you better understanding of why we do what we do.
• To keep your interest in the classes as high as when you first sat down.

All applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Selection preference will be shown to Columbia residents and those who work or own a business/property within the city limits.

The Citizens Police Academy meets at the Columbia Police Department on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with one Saturday session for firearms familiarization. In addition to the scheduled classes, a four hour “ride along” with our patrol officers will be made available to those wishing to do so.

Anyone interested in attending the Academy must complete an application. All applicants will be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check. Final selection is at the discretion of the chief of police.

For further information, email Officer Jessie Haden , Academy Coordinator or call her at 573-874-7448.

Apply Now!