About the Academy

This course is designed to educate the average everyday citizen on the challenges this community faces, the police department serving them, and the justice system here locally. It allows community members the direct access to ask questions and find out the facts and determine the truth for themselves.  This course has been conducted by the DCPD annually since 1996 and continues to get better. 

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a community-oriented policing program designed for area residents. It is conducted by the Dodge City Police Department in order to accomplish three goals:

• To allow citizens of our area to meet the men and women of law enforcement.
• To educate citizens in the "how's" and "why's" of law enforcement. 
• To provide officers the opportunity to meet and hear from the citizens they serve.

The class curriculum is designed specifically for class participation and input.

Topics Covered in the CPA

Taught by members of the DCPD and other community justice system partners, each night will cover different topics such as:

• Introduction to and brief history of DCPD / Organizational structure and command / Hiring Process
• School Resource Officer / Community Service Officer / Citizen Police Auxiliary / Communications Center
• Patrol Operations / Traffic stops and Arrests / SWAT
• Domestic Violence / Child Abuse
• Detective Bureau Operations / Crime Scene processing / Major case investigations
• Gang & Drug investigations
• Animal Control / Prosecution and the criminal court system.  Students will hear directly from our Dodge City Municipal Court Judge, Michael Giardine, along with the Ford County Attorney, Kevin Salzman, on the role of the prosecutor and the courts in the service of justice.
• Use of Force / Scenario based practical exercises. In this class student will get hands on experience in what’s known as scenario based “shoot/don’t shoot” practical training. Our most popular class!
• Crime scene practical exercise, where students will get the opportunity to actually process evidence and work a mock crime scene, putting into practice what they have learned.
• During each class students will get to meet, interact and ask questions of not only the instructors for the night’s material but also the patrol officers on duty that night.  During the final night of class there will be a panel of staff available to answer any final questions.  We will also learn from the students what we can improve on in future classes in order to continue to meet the desire of our community members to know and understand their police and community challenges.
• TBD – One Saturday during the 10 weeks we will also hold an optional range day where student will get the opportunity to handle and/or observe the duty weapons used by the DCPD.  Those bold enough to try their hand at the targets will be given the chance under the safe control of our Range Master.
• Students also have access to ride-alongs during the course’s 10 week time span.

CPA Meeting Schedule

The CPA meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Dodge City Police Department training room located at 110 West Spruce in Dodge City. The course consists of 10 sessions and one optional session on a Saturday “Range Day.” A graduation ceremony and refreshments is provided on the last night of the CPA.

Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• No felony convictions or be known or suspected to be engaged in criminal activity.
• Criminal misdemeanor convictions will be evaluated and may be accepted.
• We also ask that you either reside or work in Dodge City as we trying to reach those we serve directly.

Application

 Applications for enrollment can be picked up at the police department records window or you may also click this Application to access the form electronically.  Please return applications to the PD front window. Space is limited so get your spot early!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Dodge City from a whole different perspective!