Community Police Academy

The CPA is an educational program designed to create better understanding and communication between police and the community they serve. The intent of the CPA is to make participants aware of how the Arlington County Police Department operates and its role in the community. Participants are given an opportunity to increase their understanding of how police officers are trained and to experience the working environment of a police officer.

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. Some of the topics covered in the CPA curriculum include recruitment, legal considerations, use of force, mental health interventions, community and youth outreach, criminal investigations, the K9 unit, tactical operations, and patrol operations. 

The CPA is a 10-week program beginning on Thursday, February 26. 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). An Experience Day will take place on a Saturday during the program at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Ashburn, Va. During the Experience Day, participants will have the opportunity to put their new skills and knowledge from the CPA into action during simulation call for service scenarios put on by officers from various units within the department. To receive a graduation certificate, participants must attend at least eight of the 10 sessions. 

Classes will take place on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Arlington County Courthouse located at 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201. One session will take place on a Saturday at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, and there will not be a session held on April 2 in observance of Arlington County Public School’s spring break.

2026 CPA Session Schedule:

Session 1: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Session 2: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Session 3: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Session 4: Thursday, March 19, 2026

Session 5: Thursday, March 26, 2026 

Session 6: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Session 7: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Session 8: Thursday, April 16, 2026

Session 9: Thursday, April 23, 2026

Session 10: Thursday, April 30, 2026

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 background check and review of your criminal history will be completed on each applicant. Class size is limited, and every effort will be made to maintain a balanced enrollment reflective of Arlington’s diverse community.  

For more information about the CPA, contact the Department’s Community Engagement Division.

The Teen Police Academy is a five-day academy for rising 10th – 12th graders who live in or attend school in Arlington County who want to explore a career in law enforcement. Through classroom presentations, hands-on learning, scenario training, and field trips, the Teen Police Academy will educate participants about a career in law enforcement, while also giving them a better understanding of how the police department operates and its role in the community. Participants can ask questions of presenters and share their insights throughout the program. Some of the topics covered in the Teen Police Academy curriculum include crime scene investigation, traffic stops, K9 demonstrations and criminal investigations. 

The 2026 Teen Police Academy will be offered from Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 at Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day.

Classes are presented by Departmental leadership, sworn and civilian staff from across the agency and government partners.

Transportation to and from the Teen Academy will be the responsibility of the parents or guardians.

Apply for the 2026 Teen Police Academy here!

Interested applicants must be rising 10th - 12th grade students who live in or attend school in Arlington County. 

The cost to attend is $50.00 per student. Arlington County does not want fees or language to be a barrier for residents to participate in camps. To request a reduction in fees, contact the school-based patrol sponsor directly or the school administrator where your child is enrolled as a student.

Every effort will be made to maintain a balanced enrollment reflective of Arlington's diverse community.  

For more information about the Teen Police Academy, email the Community Engagement Division at ACPDCED@arlingtonva.us.