Citizens' Police Academy
Our Citizens' Police Academy is an eight week program designed to provide Gaston County residents first-hand information about how their Police Department works. Two sessions of our Citizens’ Police Academy are offered each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. pring Academy sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 9am to 11am. Fall Academy sessions are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:45pm.
What subjects are included?
Sessions begin with a presentation of the County Police Department’s philosophy regarding Community Oriented Policing. Subsequent sessions include the following topic areas:
- Communications
- Property & Evidence
- Patrol Procedures
- K-9
- Criminal Investigations
- School Resource
- Records
- Accreditation
- Recruitment and selection
- Crime Analysis
- Special Investigations (vice and narcotics)
- Crime Scene Search
- Hazardous Devices Team
- Emergency Response Team
- Communications
- Animal Control
Participants over the age of 18 can also participant in a police officer ride-along program where they spend a shift riding with an officer on patrol.
Throughout the program participants are encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics with Department Personnel.
What is the purpose of the Academy?
The Academy is designed to increase understanding between citizens and police officers through education. Our intent is to acquaint citizens with law enforcement's role in the criminal justice system, and provide increased understanding of the tasks police officers face in their daily work. With better understanding, it becomes easier for police and citizens to find realistic solutions to neighborhood problems.
Who teaches the Academy Sessions?
The instructors are officers and personnel from the Department who teach in their own areas of expertise. Each has years of training and experience in the subject. The officers also bring street experience into the classroom.
How are participants selected?
The Citizen Police Academy is open to adults and young people ages 16 years and up.
How to apply...
Sessions of the Citizens' Police Academy begin in the spring and fall. You will be notified if you are selected for the next session. There is no fee for the Academy.
Citizens Police Academy Application
Contact Sgt. Josh Hamlin at 704-866-3320 or jhamlin@gcps.org with questions.