Citizens' Police Academy

The Santa Clara Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) is a 12-week program intended to provide participants with an overview of the Police Department's functions and operational procedures. 

The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to those of the regular Police Academy, with a mix of lecture format and scenario/ hands-on training. The weekly sessions are not intended to train participants to be a law enforcement professional, but rather produce more informed citizens. The classes are taught by sworn officers and civilian professionals (Records Specialists, Public Safety Dispatchers, Jail Service Officers, Community Service Officers, etc.) in a friendly setting. Some sessions are lecture while others provide hands-on opportunities.

Participants are encouraged to ask questions and to express their views and concerns to members of the Department. Participants will be asked to critique the various instructors as well as the overall academy experience.

Selection Process and Requirements
Members of the CPA are selected by the Chief of Police through an application process. Potential candidates for the CPA must meet the following requirements:

• At least 21 years of age;
• A resident of the City of Santa Clara (or have strong ties to the city);
• Willing to undergo a modified background check;
• Not convicted of any felonies;
• Not convicted of any misdemeanors within one year of application; and, 
• All contacts (such as a speeding ticket or an arrest) with any law enforcement agency during the course of the class must report the information to the class coordinator as soon as possible. 

Any of the above requirements may be waived or modified upon review and approval of the Chief of Police.

Two sessions of CPA will be offered in 2017. The tentative dates are as follows:

Spring
Tuesdays, February 28 through May 23 (no class April 11) from 6:00-10:00pm
Saturday, April 1 from 9:00am-4:00pm

Fall
Wednesdays, August 30 through November 15 from 6:00-10:00pm
Saturday, October 28 from 9:00am-4:00pm

Applications will be accepted until January 3, 2017, and can be submitted to:

Santa Clara Police Department
Attention: Carolyn McDowell
601 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA  95050

For more information, contact Carolyn McDowell at (408) 615-4892 or cmcdowell@santaclaraca.gov