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, homeless outreach, 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 27. 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 17 in observance of Arlington County Public School’s spring break.

2025 CPA Session Schedule:

Session 1: Thursday, February 27, 2025

Session 2: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Session 3: Thursday, March 13, 2025

Session 4: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Session 5: Saturday, March 22, 2025 

Session 6: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Session 7: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Session 8: Thursday, April 10, 2025

Session 9: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Session 10: Thursday, May 1, 2025

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 Sergeant D. Brooks of 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. 

Two sessions of the Teen Police Academy will be offered in Summer 2025. Session 1 will be held from July 14-18, 2025 and Session 2 will be held from July 28- August 1, 2025. Both Session 1 and Session 2 will be held at a county facility 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.

Interested applicants must be rising 10th - 12th grade students who live in or attend school in Arlington County. There is no cost for students to attend. 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.