The Arlington County Police Department is accepting applications for the 29th Community Police Academy. The Community Police Academy is an educational program designed to enhance communication, collaboration and mutual understanding between the police and the community they serve. Its goal is to increase participants' awareness of how the Arlington County Police Department operates and its vital role within the community. Program Overview Through an immersive, multi-week experience, participants will gain knowledge and understanding of how police officers are trained, their daily work environment, and the wide scope of work they perform in service to the Arlington community. The program includes lectures, panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and hands-on experiences, including a special off-site session on a Saturday, outside of Arlington County. Classes are presented by Departmental leadership, sworn and civilian staff from across the agency and government partners. Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, including those about current events and effective policing practices, and can ask questions of presenters throughout the program. Some of the topics covered in the Community Police Academy curriculum include recruitment, legal considerations, use of force, mental health interventions, homeless outreach, community and youth outreach, criminal investigations, the K9 unit, tactical operations, and patrol operations. The Community Police Academy is a 10-week program beginning on Thursday, Feb. 27. Classes will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arlington County Courthouse (1425 N. Courthouse Road). An Experience Day will take place on a Saturday during the program at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Ashburn, Va. During the Experience Day, participants will have the opportunity to put their new skills and knowledge from the Community Police Academy into action during simulation call for service scenarios put on by officers from various units within the department. There will not be a session held on April 17 in observance of Arlington County Public School’s spring break. To receive a graduation certificate, participants must attend at least eight of the 10 sessions. Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and should live, work, attend school, or be otherwise affiliated or engaged with Arlington community organizations. Due to the nature of the material covered in the academy, a criminal history check will be conducted on each applicant. Prior arrests and/or convictions do not necessarily prohibit participation in the academy and each applicant will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Class size is limited, and every effort will be made to maintain a balanced enrollment reflective of Arlington’s diverse community. Online applications are due no later than Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
https://us.openforms.com/Form/561a146d-a2b5-49b8-9bb4-9d65728339e3 Contact Information For more information about the CPA, contact Sergeant D. Brooks of the Department’s Community Engagement Division at ACPDCED@arlingtonva.us. |