The Virginia Beach Citizens’ Police Academy provides an excellent opportunity for citizens, ages 21 and up, who work and/or live in the City of Virginia Beach, to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of the police department. This will enable participants to gain a better understanding of the procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, personnel, equipment, policies, and laws that guide the department's decisions.  Citizens will hear the accounts and experiences of a wide variety of police personnel and will also engage in hands-on activities.  This class is not intended to make citizens into police officers but to allow citizens to learn more about police operations. Citizens will become informed as to the actual role of the police and, in return, the police will benefit from the wealth of knowledge the citizens can give about their community. A police ride-along opportunity will be offered during the session for observation of the officer’s daily duties.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 28th session, which will run from September 8 through December 15, 2009, with classes held every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  The class will be held at the Public Safety Building #11, located at the Municipal Center, 2509 Princess Anne Road.  Applications are available at any Virginia Beach Police Precinct, the Crime Prevention Unit Building #15 at the Municipal Center, or you can print a copy from this address  http://www.vbgov.com/file_source/dept/police/Operations%20Division/Crime%20Prevention/Document/CPA-Application2.pdf.  Completed applications for this session must be received by the Crime Prevention Office either by mail or personal delivery by Monday, August 24, 2009.
Please do not drop off completed applications at a police precinct.  Seating is limited.

Topics covered in the academy include:

Recruitment, Selection, and Training
A Day in the Life of a Patrol Officer
Firearms Safety & Range Operations
Deadly Force Encounters
Forensics
Basic Criminal Law
Animal Control
History of Law Enforcement
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney
Crime Prevention Programs
Special Investigations (narcotics, vice, and gang investigations)
School Resource Officer Program
Criminal Investigations
Consumer Fraud
Volunteer Opportunities Jail Tour
Professional Standards
Special Operations

For further information, call MPO Jeff Eaton at 385-1066, bjeaton@vbgov.com

MPO Jimmy Barnes, Public Relations/Marketing Office, 385-4494, jfbarnes@vbgov.com