Police Now Accepting Applications to the 28th Community Police Academy
Published on December 04, 2023
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department is now accepting applications for the 28th Community Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is an educational program designed to provide an opportunity to enhance the lines of communication and understanding between police and members of the Arlington community. The goal of the CPA is to share knowledge and information with participants that allows them to recognize the roles and responsibilities of the Arlington County Police Department.
“The Community Police Academy provides the unique opportunity to share information in real time with members of our community on a wide array of topics as it relates to policing as a profession and what it means to be a police officer here in Arlington County," said Deputy Chief Wayne Vincent. “It is absolutely essential that we have these conversations to promote a transparent relationship with those we serve while inviting all participants to engage in open discussion with the intention of reaching mutual understanding.”
Program Overview
Through an immersive, multi-week experience, participants will gain knowledge and understanding of how police officers are trained, their daily work environment, and the wide scope of work they perform in service to the Arlington community. The program includes lectures, panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and hands-on experiences, including a special off-site session on a Saturday outside of Arlington County. Classes are presented by Departmental leadership, sworn and civilian staff from across the agency and government partners. Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions, including those about current events and effective policing practices, and can ask questions of presenters throughout the program. Some of the topics covered in the CPA curriculum include recruitment, legal considerations, use of force, mental health interventions, homeless outreach, community and youth outreach, criminal investigations, the K9 unit, tactical operations, and patrol operations.
Academy Schedule
The CPA is a 10-week program beginning on Thursday, February 22. Classes will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arlington County Courthouse (1425 N. Courthouse Road). One session will take place on a Saturday at an off-site location outside of Arlington County and there will not be a session held on March 28 in observance of Arlington County Public School’s spring break. To receive a graduation certificate, participants must attend at least eight of the 10 sessions.
Applicants
Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and should live, work, attend school, or be otherwise affiliated or engaged with Arlington community organizations. Due to the nature of the material covered in the CPA, a criminal history check will be conducted on each applicant. Prior arrests and/or convictions do not necessarily prohibit participation in the CPA and each applicant will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Class size is limited, and every effort will be made to maintain a balanced enrollment reflective of Arlington’s diverse community. Online applications are due no later than Friday, December 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
Contact Information
For more information about the CPA, contact Sergeant D. Brooks of the Department’s Community Engagement Division at ACPDCED@arlingtonva.us.