The Citizen Police Academy is a 10 week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Aurora Police Department. It consists of a series of interactive classes held once a week, on a designated evening, generally on Tuesdays or Thursdays, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls. A background check will also be conducted on each applicant. Classes are held at the Aurora Police Department, 1200 East Indian Trail.

Academy Dates & Time

The next academy will begin Thursday, September 7 and will run for 10 consecutive Thursdays, ending on November 9, 2017. The classes start at 6 p.m. sharp in the APD Community Room inside police headquarters at 1200 E. Indian Trail. Application deadline is September 1.
 

Requirements to Attend

Individuals who apply for the Citizen Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age. They must also live in the City of Aurora, work in the City of Aurora, or own property in the City of Aurora.

Reason to Attend

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime. Therefore, the Aurora Police Department's Community Oriented Policing Bureau instituted the Citizen Police Academy to improve communication and to obtain citizen input and support throughout the city. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting our community. Graduates will gain knowledge that they can implement to enhance the quality of life in their respective neighborhoods.

Subjects Taught

Information is taught about the following subjects:

• Crime Prevention
• Criminal Law
• Evidence
• Gang Awareness
• Investigations
• Juvenile
• K9
• Overview of Patrol
• Problem Solving
• Telecommunications (911)
• Traffic Law
• Use of Force
• Vice and Narcotics

Participants will gain a working knowledge of the duties and responsibilities required to be a law enforcement officer in your community.

Benefits

Graduates will be encouraged to join the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association. This will give graduates the opportunity for continued education in the field of law enforcement, also allow them to have an interactive association with the police department.

Goals

One of the goals of the Citizen Police Academy, of course, is to help the residents of Aurora to better understand how policing is conducted their community. It is hoped that all graduates of the Citizen Academy will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and learn how and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.

Application

3 easy ways to apply!

1. Fill out the application online.
2. Download the paper Citizen Academy application (PDF). Once you have finished filling out the application, sign it and mail it to:
   CPA
   Aurora Police Department
   1200 E Indian Trail
   Aurora, IL 60505
3. Call 630-256-5342 or 630-256-5385.