About the Program

The Citizen Police Academy is an educational citizen-involved activity designed by the Kirkwood, Olivette, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Frontenac, Ladue, and Town & Country Police Departments. The goal is to promote understanding between the community's residents and its police officers regarding their respective needs and problems. By promoting this relationship, citizens and police can work together to make the community a safer place to live.

The Citizen Police Academy is a unique opportunity to educate the public about the criminal justice system and provide insight into everyday police work. The Academy is designed to give the public a chance to observe and understand law enforcement through a hands-on approach. Entrance into this program is by application only. A record check will be completed on each applicant.

Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

Several areas of police training will be covered during the 9-week Academy. Role-playing scenarios will be used to reinforce the learning process and give participants a chance to experience some "real-life" police situations. Finally, applicants will be afforded the opportunity to ride along with police officers to observe firsthand the daily challenges faced by police officers.

Some of the topics covered will include: 

• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Use of Force
• Criminal Investigations
• Traffic Enforcement
• DWI Investigations
• Specialized Equipment & Weapon Safety

All classes begin at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted:

Week 1: March 2nd - Frontenac (10555 Clayton Road) - Introductions and Welcoming 

Week 2: March 9th - Creve Coeur PD (350 N Ballas Road) - Policing and the Community's Role 

Week 3: March 16th - The Lodge Des Peres (1050 Des Peres Road) - Criminal Investigations 

Week 4: March 23rd - Chesterfield (690 Chesterfield Parkway W) - Constitutional & Criminal Law 

Week 5: March 30th - STL County Police Academy (1266 Sutter Avenue) - Use of Force and Challenges of Policing

Week 6: April 6th - Town and Country (13525 Clayton Road) - Traffic Safety/DWI Enforcement 

Week 7: April 13th - Ladue High School (1201 S Warson Road) Firearms Safety and Technology 

Week 8: April 20th at 6:30 PM - Creve Coeur (300 N Ballas Road) - Firearms Range/Role Play

Week 9: April 27th - The Lodge Des Peres (1050 Des Peres Road) - Summary and Graduation