Citizens' Police Academy

The Police Department began offering the Citizens’ Police Academy back in 2003 as a way to foster interaction between the officers and town residents. Participants will establish a better understanding of the role of the police in the community. The program has proven very successful as requests for participation have grown steadily.

The Academy can accommodate up to forty local community residents who will participate in classes designed to take them through the different aspects of law enforcement. Academy Instructors consist of highly trained Greenwich Police officers. The 6-week program will meet once a week from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Greenwich Police Department on  Wednesdays.

 The Citizen’s Police Academy provides Greenwich residents with a first-hand overview of both law enforcement and community-related functions of their Police Department.

Topics of Instruction

• Community Impact Section / 911 Awareness
• Crime Prevention
• Crime Scenes (CSI)
• Criminal Investigations / Special Victims
• Domestic Violence Investigations
• Introduction to Policing
• Motor Vehicle Stops / Driving Under the Influence
• Narcotics Investigations
• Patrol Operations
• Scams / Fraud 

Instructors for the program are highly-trained and experienced Greenwich Police Officers. In addition to participating in role-playing exercises, attendees will accompany on-duty police personnel within the Marine Division and Patrol. Ride-a-longs are scheduled beyond regular class times. Time permitting, a demonstration at the Police Firing Range will allow recruits to participate in mock scenarios where an officer may or may not have to fire their weapon.

Eligibility

Applicants must either be Greenwich residents or be a Town of Greenwich Employee and 18 years of age or older. There is no fee for the program; however, the Department requests that applicants be committed to the full program. The class size may be limited.  Due to the high demand for this course, qualified applicants will be subject to a lottery drawing to determine the final class roster.

To inquire about the academy or other community programs, calls can be directed to the Greenwich Police Department Community Impact Section Supervisor Sergeant John Thorme john.thorme@greenwichct.org