Government > Takoma Park Police Department > Community Policing > Community Police Academy

Community Police Academy

The Community Police Academy is a 12-week long program consisting of one class a week (on Tuesdays) from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. The classes cover the following topics:

Communications
Basic Criminal Law/Investigations
Traffic Law
Victim/Witness Rights
Driving Under the Influence
Use of Force/Tasers/Firearms
Speed Camera Program
Emergency Preparedness/Active Assailant training
Crime Analysis
Media Relations/Community Policing
Patrol Procedures/De-escalation Techniques
Stop the Bleed
Bike Law

Optional field trips include some of the following, but others may be added:

Montgomery County Emergency Operations Center
Montgomery County Correctional Facility
Montgomery County Circuit Court and State’s Attorney’s Office
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
National Law Enforcement Museum
Jessup Correctional Institute (Maximum Security Prison)
Montgomery County Training Facility
Montgomery County Forensic Crime Lab
FBI Tour Experience

The presentations are slide show/lecture style and are given by officers, detectives and civilians of the Takoma Park Police Department. There are also multiple opportunities for hands-on learning through equipment demonstrations, practical scenarios, field trips and ride-alongs with patrol officers.

The Takoma Park Police Department believes that educating the community results in gaining their understanding and support. Through implementation of the Community Police Academy, the community gains new insight into how law enforcement officers perform their duties. The success of any law enforcement agency depends largely upon the amount of cooperation and support it receives from the community it serves.

Community Police Academy 2022 – Field trips to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the National Law Enforcement Museum in DC

The Community Police Academy is free to the public. Seats are limited to the first 25 students and are filled based on a first come/first serve basis. The Takoma Park Police Department encourages all applicants to be able to commit to the full 12 weeks to get the most out of the program.

If you are interested in learning about the Takoma Park Police Department and local government, you are 16 years of age or older, and live or work in Takoma Park, you may apply. The applicants may not have any serious misdemeanor or any felony offenses.

Applications for the March 2024 session will be accepted starting in January 2024. Be on the lookout for that announcement.

Any questions about the Community Police Academy can be directed to the Public Information Officer, Cathy Plevy, at cathyp@takomaparkmd.gov.