Citizens Police Academy

The Princeton Police Department is embarking on a concept of educating citizens of the community on the daily activities of their police officers' by conducting the Citizens' Police Academy.

The overall goal of the Princeton Police Department is to foster a better relationship between the community and the Police Department through training. It is envisioned that graduates of the academy will gain an understanding of the operation of the Police Department and develop an awareness and appreciation of the various challenges and decisions faced every day by the Princeton Police Officers.

Through a ten-week course of training, citizens will have an opportunity to learn more about how their Police Department operates, its policies, procedures, programs and challenges. In addition, participants will be introduced to the police staff and learn each responsibilities and enforcement efforts.

Classes will be taught by police personnel, members of other agencies, the criminal justice profession and the court system. Classes will include: Investigations, Explosives, Firearms, Narcotics, Gangs, Crime Scenes, Patrol, K-9 and Traffic stops. Participants will also tour our Police facility, the County Jail and Bureau County 9-1-1 Center. Each participant in the program will also be required to do a ride-along with an officer on a patrol shift. This will conclude with the arrest and booking process of an offender.

It is our desire that CPA graduates will take their new knowledge out into the community, educate others when the opportunity arises, and make decisions that affect the Police Department and City with a heightened awareness. We also hope that this program will ultimately assist in crime-reduction through deeper support of the Police Department. This added support and confidence results in a commitment by the community to report crime and suspicious activity, comply with security measures, and maintain involvement in neighborhood groups.

Ultimately, the Citizens Police Academy will create a better understanding, communication and partnership between the citizens and the police, and help to establish a much safer community. The Police Department also hopes that the graduates will become our partners and help us in identifying problems and solutions to crime issues that are affecting our community. We believe an informed citizenry will enhance public safety, make better decisions about how to protect themselves and their businesses, understand law enforcement strategies and provide leadership to other areas of government.

Thomas F. Root
Chief of Police