Houston Police Department

What is the Citizens’ Police Academy?
The Houston Citizens’ Police Academy was organized in 1989 and offers citizens the opportunity to learn about the internal operations of the Houston Police Department. The Citizens’ Police Academy speakers, mostly Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice personnel who are experts in their fields, provide lectures, demonstrations, tours, and hands-on activities for Academy participants. The overall objective of the Academy is to provide citizens with sound and accurate information about the Houston Police Department and the criminal justice process so that citizens are able to make informed decisions when issues or matters involve the police department or police activity. It is the department’s hope that participants in the Citizens’ Police Academy will share their experiences and learned information with family, friends, co-workers, and their community to further improve and strengthen community-police relations.

What is the course curriculum?
Each week, a different discipline or area of the Houston Police Department is presented. Examples include, but are not limited to: Police Dispatch, Crime Prevention, Family Violence Unit, Vice Division, Narcotics Division, Bomb Squad, SWAT Detail, Hostage Negotiations, Shoot-Don’t Shoot training exercises, Criminal Prosecutions, Homicide Investigations, Gangs, and Juvenile crimes.
In addition, citizens participate in the department’s Ride-Along program, which
allows citizens the opportunity to ride in a police car with a patrol officer.

When will the next Citizens’ Police Academy begin, what location and what is the cost?
Dates: The Citizens’ Police Academy is usually held twice a year:

The Academy involves a 33-hour block of instruction, consisting of a three-hour class, one day a week for 11 weeks. The times of the class are usually 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The first day of class is Orientation and the last day is Graduation.

Location: Houston Police Department Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield

Cost: ALL CLASSES ARE FREE!

Who may attend the Citizens’ Police Academy?

How do I apply to the Citizens’ Police Academy?

You can DOWNLOAD A CITIZENS’ POLICE ACADEMY APPLICATION AND REGISTER FOR THE NEXT CLASS, have one mailed or faxed to you by calling 713 308-3200 or you can pick one up at HPD, located at 1200 Travis, Public Affairs Division, 21st floor.
********THIS IS NOT AN APPLICATION TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER********

Once you complete the application, or if need more information, contact:

Officer Lance Ediger
Public Affairs Division, Community Services Unit
713-308-3235
Lance.Ediger@cityofhouston.net
***Do not use this email for an emergency call for service. Call 911.***
***Non-emergency calls for service, contact 713-884-3131***

Be a part of your community. Become a Police VIP and a valuable part of your police department.

VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES PROGRAM - Houston Citizens’ Police Academy