The New York City Police Academy is now sponsoring the 20th-anniversary spring session of the Citizens Police Academy.
The program, according to the Police Department’s website, was launched in 1993 as part of the NYPD’s ongoing effort to develop a working relationship with the community. This 14-week program is offered twice each year, during the spring and fall. Participants are nominated by the commanding officers of every precinct, transit district, and Housing Police service area.
This year’s spring session is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 13, 6-9 p.m. The following weeks will be broken up between boroughs on Mondays and Tuesdays nights. The Citizens Police Academy is located at 235 E. 20th St., between Second and Third Avenues, in Manhattan.
Using role play exercises and workshops, experienced instructors will cover: the criminal justice system, tactics, emotionally disturbed persons, stop question and frisk, firearms and tactics training, domestic violence, internal affairs, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, equal opportunity employment, law, police science, identity theft, intelligence division, community affairs, and counterterrorism division.
The goal of the academy program, per the website, is to offer participants a better understanding of the authority and limitations of the police. The information and insight gained from the program allows all involved to assess their roles and responsibilities in fostering effective and productive police-community partnerships.
All participants must be at least 18 years of age and attend Police Academy on March 13, in the second-floor auditorium, at 6 p.m. NYPD will provide transportation to the academy from two different locations (see contact details below). Attendees are required to bring a wallet-size photo of themselves to the registration process, as well as valid photo ID to enter the Police Academy. Business or casual business attire must be worn; no jeans or sneakers will be permitted. Graduates of the course will receive a certificate.
Anyone interested in participating in the Citizens Police Academy should contact P.O. Jerry Galante, 78th Precinct Community Affairs at jerry.galante@nypd.org, or call 718.636.6410 and leave a message.