Special Events: Citizen Police Academy

Update! The Des Plaines Police Department is pleased to announce the graduation of the following (pictured above left to right) from the Citizen Police Academy: Daniel Sloan, Frank Aguado, Mary Aguado, Matthew Koziol, Helen Rzeczkowski, Abdul Abdullah, Bill Scharringhausen, Eldar Dzolota, Franco Portera, and Michael Smeraglia. The Des Plaines Citizen Police Academy allows citizens to become more educated about their local police and experience what police work is all about. Citizens gain an insider’s knowledge of the police agency, enabling them to make informed decisions on issues affecting the police and the community. The program also helps citizens and police officers receive insight into the views held by each other about policing.　　　　　　

Have you ever wondered what a police officer is thinking and feeling when he/she makes a felony traffic stop? Or what it feels like to shoot a pistol or shotgun? Or what type of training a police canine goes through? These and many other questions will be answered when the spring session of the Des Plaines Police Department Citizen Police Academy kicks off on Monday, March 26, 2007.

The Citizen Police Academy, which is free of charge, is held on ten consecutive Mondays, and allows attendees to experience firsthand the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. Classes, which typically run about two hours in length, cover a variety of subjects. Learn what it takes to be hired as a police officer, find out how the SWAT team handles hostage and barricaded subject situations, and listen to a detective talk about the different ways to solve a crime.

Citizens attending the Academy will be exposed to a variety of instruction. The ten week program includes classroom training, open discussion, multimedia presentations, and hands-on training. Students will also ride along with a police officer and personally experience patrol operations. One of the highlights of the Academy begins with a lecture about firearms and weapons safety, after which the students practice their newly learned skills at the police range under the supervision of a certified range officer. All in all, it’s a fun-filled ten weeks, and it gives the citizen a better understanding of the Police Department and its officers.

Attendees must be residents of the City of Des Plaines, 21 years of age, with no prior criminal background. If you are interested in attending the Citizen Police Academy, contact Chris Terrazzino at 847- 391-6122.

Living In Des Plaines  |  Your Local Government  |  Your City Services
Economic Development  |  Online City Reference Desk
  Search  |  Site Map  |  Home

Send feedback to the City by clicking here.
Click here to report a website technical issue.

This site is best viewed in Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher or Firefox 2.0 or higher.

Site Use Policy

All information © 2008 Des Plaines, Illinois