Citizen Police Academy

Community Services

Citizen Police Academy

The Northampton Police Department's Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program designed to enhance citizen understanding of the role and function of the police department. The Citizen Police Academy is an excellent opportunity for community members to better understand the inner-workings of the police department and to meet the talented and professional men and women of the Northampton Police Department.

Program Description

The Citizen Police Academy is a 10-week course that meets one night once a week for three (3) hours. The course includes lectures, class discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on opportunities for class participants.

Class Instructors

The course is instructed by police administrators, patrol and detective supervisors, detectives and police officers from the Northampton Police Department and prosecutors from the Northwestern District Attorney's office.

Course Topics

Recruitment & Training
Criminal Investigations
Death Investigations
Criminal Law
Rights of Arrest
Motor Vehicle Law/Radar/Lidar/Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
Firearms Training
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault Investigations
Use of Force
Communications/Dispatch
Narcotics Investigations
Computer Crimes
Forensics

Course Time

In the past, classes have been held Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 PM and the classes are held weekly from February to April. The 2011 class has not been scheduled.

Course Location

The Citizen Police Academy has been held in the Community Room at the John F. Kennedy Middle School located at 100 Bridge Road in Florence.

Qualifications

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must pass a background check. Preference will be given to Northampton residents. Three seats will be held for high school students who are under 18 years of age but who exhibit exceptional maturity and interest in the field of law enforcement.

Applications

The 2011 CPA has not been scheduled. We are not currently accepting applications. If we are able to run a fourth CPA in 2011, we will begin accepting applications in the fall of 2010. Check back for updated information.