The Peoria Police Department will host its 2017 Citizen’s Police Academy this spring. This popular program will begin on Wednesday, March 29th, and continue through Wednesday, June 14th. Participants will have an exciting “hands-on” behind the scenes look at the field of law enforcement.

The program is a twelve week course that meets every Wednesday night from 6 PM to 9 PM at the Peoria Public Safety Administration Building at 8351 W. Cinnabar in downtown Peoria.

The purpose of the academy is to promote the Community Oriented Policing philosophy, achieved through the exchange of information between citizens and law enforcement officials. During the duration of the program, participants will experience what it is like to gather evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, conduct hostage negotiations, use a radar gun, and many other law enforcement tasks.

Attendees will learn what it takes to become a police officer, from the hiring process to the police academy experience, from using a firearms training simulator to executing a high-risk vehicle stop. The Citizen’s Academy is an excellent option for citizens who are interested in law enforcement as a career, those who want to learn more about local police, or those who want a unique, exciting experience.

To be eligible to participate in the academy, you must be an adult who resides or works in Peoria. For questions and to register, please contact the Police Department’s Neighborhood Services Section by calling (623) 773-7099, or you can register online or download an application from the website HERE. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see the inner-workings of a rapidly growing, internationally accredited law enforcement agency!