Houston Police Department

What is it?
The Houston Citizens' Police Academy presents a look at the internal operations, values, and philosophy of the Houston Police Department. The Academy is a 33 - hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the "how's and why's" of the department, and the citizens' role in their interaction with the police. If you choose to participate you will attend a series of classes, held once each week for three hours. The instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the police department each week. Officers, supervisors and personnel assigned to that particular division conduct each instructional block.

Who May Attend?
The Citizens' Police Academy is made of a cross section of Houston's diverse community. Homemakers, laborers, professionals, students, ministers, business, civic, and social leaders are encouraged to apply. The minimum age for enrollment is 21 and you must work or live in the City of Houston to be eligible to attend.

When and Where?
The HCPA is held twice a year. The next class is September 7, 2006, and will be at the Houston Police Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield Road (near Bush Intercontinental Airport). The Academy meets every Thursday evening from 7pm
- 10pm for eleven weeks.

The Objective
The Houston Citizens' Police Academy was created to provide enough information to the citizens who attend so they may make informed judgments about the police department and police activity. Students are expected to share this realistic view of the department with other citizens to improve the efficiency of law enforcement in their neighborhoods. The department, in turn, becomes more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community from the participant's interaction and input. It is a two-way learning experience.

Training
The Citizens' Police Academy training includes emergency communications, crime prevention, family violence, vice, narcotics, bomb squad operations, hostage negations, SWAT team, shoot-don't-shoot exercises, post shooting trauma, debriefing recognition, criminal prosecutions, homicide investigations, gang recognition, and juvenile crimes. Because of the importance of patrol operations in policing, a Ride-A-Long is mandatory. Instruction in these and other topics will consist of lectures, demonstrations, tours and hands-on learning.

Apply?
If what you've read above interests you and you want to apply, then go to the Houston Police Department website; www.houstonpolice.org. On the homepage, click the volunteer button and then click "Download Application." Complete the application and mail to: Houston Police Department, 1200 Travis, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention Officer Lance Ediger, Public Affairs Division. Be sure to include a copy of your Texas driver's license, and two reference letters. All applicants will be interviewed. The deadline for submitting your application is Friday August 18, 2006. The class fills up fast, so the sooner you can get your application in the better.

If you have a question, please do not hesitate to call Officer L. Ediger at 713 308-3200.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.