Forward - During the early 1980's it became apparent there was a need for citizen-police interaction and cooperation. To this end, in 1985 the Orlando Police Department hosted the first Citizen Police Academy (CPA). It was an immediate success.
As of this writing, more than 1,000 community-oriented citizens have graduated from our program. Law enforcement agencies across the nation have started their own Citizen Police Academies, allowing thousands of citizens to participate in the program. More recently, other public service agencies have initiated similar programs, such as Citizen Fire Academies.
The Orlando Police Department's Citizen Police Academy is free of charge and offered twice a year. The class ranges from 12-14 weeks, (depending upon optional class tours), and is held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Orlando Police
Training Facility. It includes detailed information on such topics as uniformed patrol, special operations, criminal investigations, youth/criminal law, and many other interesting topics. Also available are elective field trips to the the Orlando International Airport, the 33rd Street Jail, and a ride-a-long with a uniformed patrol officer.
The next Citizen Police Academy will begin on August 9, 2011
at 6:30 p.m. at the Orlando Police Department Training Facility. The graduation will
take place on October 25, 2011. The coordinator for the Citizen Police Academy
is MPO Evan Cantrall. If you have any questions about the upcoming Citizen
Police Academy, please call 407-246-2461.
***Note: We are
not currently enrolling for the August 9th academy. All spots are full. ***
Download an application here.
SENIOR CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
In 2000, the first Citizen Police Academy for senior citizens was held. Accommodations were made to hold the classes out in the community where they were more easily accessible to seniors. Classes are usually held at one of the Senior Centers during the daytime, so that the seniors who participate will not have to contend with the nighttime driving or finding their way to an unfamiliar location. The training highlights what seniors can do to prevent their own victimization and what they can do to contribute to crime prevention in their community. The topics covered during the course are the same as those covered during the other Citizen Police Academies (see Citizen Police Academy Topics). Many of the graduates of this program go on to become valuable volunteers for the Orlando Police Department. For more information about the Senior Citizen Police Academy, please contact the Community Involvement Section at 407-246-2461.
HISPANIC CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
In 2003, the first Hispanic Citizen Police Academy was held. This class will cover the same topics as other CPA courses. The curriculum
is taught entirely in the Spanish language through Spanish speaking instructors or translators. For more information, please contact the Community Involvement Section at 407-246-2461.
Download an application here.
The next Hispanic Citizen Police Academy will begin on
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
TEEN POLICE ACADEMY
The next Teen Police Academy will be held beginning on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Download an
application here.
Please take a few moments to see what our Citizen Police Academy has to offer.
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY TOPICS
INTRODUCTION; OFFICER SELECTION AND TRAINING SECTION
Student introductions are made. Time is allotted for each student to state their expectations and/or reason for attending. The Chief of Police and the Command Staff will introduce themselves and their respective bureaus. Time is allotted for questions from each. An overview of the Citizen Police Academy goals and objectives will be explained. Any unfinished "housekeeping chores" will be completed.
The Recruiting Section will explain the application and selection process. Representatives from the Training Section will then explain the training that is necessary to qualify as a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida, as well as the City of Orlando. The Basic Police Academy and Field Training Officer Program will be reviewed.
LAWS OF ARREST, SEARCH AND SEIZURE, INTERNAL AFFAIRS
The Orlando Police Department's legal staff will explain actions constituting a criminal act, arrest procedures, "Miranda" rights, define Probable Cause, and the major differences between criminal and constitutional law.
The Internal Affairs is a section of the Orlando Police Professional Standards Division, and handles all in-house investigations. The requirements to make a complaint on an officer/employee will be explained, as well as procedures required of an administrative investigation. General statistics on the number and disposition of complaints on officers will be reviewed. The "Officer's Bill of Rights" will also be reviewed.
COMMUNICATIONS, CRIME STATISTICS, PLANNING & EVALUATION
Representatives from the Communications Center will explain how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled. A firsthand look at the Orlando Police new Computer Assisted Dispatch System will be given. .
An in-depth briefing on how crime statistics are formulated and what they mean with regard to police operations will be given.
The Planning and Evaluation Section, also part of the Professional Standards Division, will review their responsibilities. These include development, monitoring and implementation of long and short term strategies for the Department, including assessing strengths, weaknesses, goal setting and analyzing the impact of growth on police services. Appropriate contemporary projects under consideration will be reviewed.
PATROL OPERATIONS
Members of the Patrol Services Bureau will review their responsibilities, which consist of the police patrol response, patrol deployment and tactics, and the role of the patrol support units. Various sub-sections within patrol also give a brief description of their unit, such as the Bike Unit, Neighborhood Teams, etc.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Special Operations cover a wild spectrum of assignments. Explanation of the roles of the Traffic Enforcement (motorcycle) Unit, K-9, and Mounted (horses) will be given. An in-depth presentation will be made by the Traffic Homicide Unit. An overview of the Department's role in planning special events will be given. Included will be demonstrations of radar units, K-9 and Mounted Patrol.
VIOLENT CRIMES SECTION
The Criminal Investigation Division's Violent Crimes Section will cover the responsibilities of their section, including armed robberies, homicide, career criminals and property recovery. The techniques necessary for handling violent crimes against persons will be discussed. .
The Technical Services Unit (crime scene, photography and crime lab) will review crime scene procedures, the importance of evidence, the photo lab, and many of their unseen responsibilities.
PROPERTY SECTION
The Criminal Investigation Division's Crimes Against Property Section will explain theft and how it differs from other crimes, such as robbery; and review their responsibilities in property cases such as burglary and theft.
Additionally, this block of instruction will cover the problems of auto theft and its diversity. Topics such as chop shops and salvage switch thefts will be included.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION, TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Criminal Investigation Division's Special Investigations Section includes the Economic Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes Unit and the Youth Crimes Section. An explanation of the unique investigative procedures for each of these units will be reviewed, as well as the Technical Services special needs for these types of crimes.
UNDERCOVER NARCOTIC OPERATIONS, VICE CRIMES
This block of instruction will provide an inside "law enforcement" view of substance abuse and its effect on our society. Relationships between drug problems, other crimes and the impact on the community will be reviewed. An overview of surveillance techniques and procedures, tactical issues involving "takedowns", safety precautions will be given. An in depth explanation of the different types of drugs commonly found will be given, including the most contemporary drugs and other related issues.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This block of instruction will be divided into four segments, each one pertaining to a special area of expertise within the Orlando Police Departments continuing goal to provide the community with a multi-diversified modern police force. These units include SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), Crisis Negotiations, CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management), and the Emergency Response Team (E.R.T.). Instruction will include the mission, composition, training, selection procedures, and operational restrictions of each team.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SECTION
The Orlando Police Department's Community Involvement Section will explain the responsibilities of School Resource Officers, Super Kids Officers and the Explorers program.
An overview of the responsibilities of the Community Relations Uit will be presented. Specific crime prevention programs will be highlighted. The CRIMELINE program will also be discussed.
SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, USE OF FORCE
The Training Section will explain the Orlando Police Department's Use of Force Policy; to include the historical evolution of the policy, legal and moral issues that surround the topics of deadly and non-deadly force. The Citizen Review Board will also be discussed.
Students will then be placed in simulated "Shoot - Don't Shoot" situations, playing the role of a police officer in threatening situations of varying levels. In "real time" they will have to instantaneously make the decisions many officers encounter.
GRADUATION
Graduation will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium on the first floor. It will be attended by the Chief of Police . Appropriate dress is requested.
ELECTIVES
