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 22. 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 best practices in law enforcement, and can ask questions of presenters throughout the program. To receive a graduation certificate, participants must attend at least eight of 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 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.

2024 CPA Session Schedule:

Session 1: Thursday, February 22, 2024

Session 2: Thursday, February 29, 2024

Session 3: Thursday, March 7, 2024

Session 4: Saturday, March 9, 2024

Session 5: Thursday, March 14, 2024 

Session 6: Thursday, March 21, 2024

Session 7: Thursday, April 4, 2024

Session 8: Thursday, April 11, 2024

Session 9: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Session 10: Thursday, April 25, 2024

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 2024. Session 1 will be held from July 15-19, 2024 and Session 2 will be held from July 29- August 2, 2024. Both Session 1 and Session 2 will be held at Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center (333 Long Bridge Drive) 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.  

Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Summer Teen Police Academy. The application is now closed and sessions for Summer 2025 will be announced at a later date.

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