Citizen Police Academy

The Citizen Police Academy is a program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Naperville Police Department. It consists of a series of classes, discussions and hands-on demonstrations that are held once a week from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 10 weeks. Classes are limited to 24 students.

The classes provide an in-depth view into various areas of law enforcement. It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the City of Naperville.

Goal

The Citizen Police Academy is designed to help the residents of Naperville better understand how the police work in their community. It is hoped that all graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing that duty. When residents take a more personal interest in their city, and the protection of their community and neighborhoods, they will enjoy a safer and closer relationship with their neighbors. The Citizen Police Academy will allow them to have a more interactive association with the police department.

Upcoming Academy

The 10-week Fall 2023 Citizen Police Academy ended in November 2023. The Spring 2024 class has not yet been scheduled. Please check back at a later date for more information.

Instruction consists of classroom lectures, interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations focusing on various aspects of police work, including forensics, investigations, patrol and special response, among others. Course content and activities dictate that class size is limited to 24 participants. 

Why attend?

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime in any community. Naperville's Citizen Police Academy aims to improve communication and obtain citizen input and support throughout the city.

It is hoped that the graduates will become partners with the Naperville Police Department in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting the community. Graduates will take their knowledge back to their neighborhoods where they can use it to enhance the quality of neighborhood life.

 Participant Testimonials

"This was a great experience. I plan to recommend the program to friends and neighbors. May even do it again in a few years."

- Kevin C.

"The mock crime scene really gave us the feel we were detectives. Very enjoyable."

 - Michael S.

"I learned and took away so much more than I was planning on taking away from it."

- Austin H.

"I really enjoyed … learning about the tools of the trade and how they help to keep everyone involved as safe as possible. I had never shot a taser before either, so that was obviously fun."

- Alexander R.

"The presentations were excellent and provided a wealth of information."

- Arvind A.

 "I learned a great deal which I am already using in my everyday life."

- Shosheera F.

"I loved the hands-on practice of dusting for fingerprints, and the crime scene investigation was so fun."

- Amanda W.

Naperville Police Department