Citizens Police Academy Registration Closes March 1

City of Fairfax Police invites residents to learn about the inner-workings of its department for the sixth annual Citizens Police Academy.

The academy, open to those working and living in Fairfax City, offers three months of weekly lessons on police hiring, crime scene processing and investigation, traffic stop protocols and the dangers facing police officers as they do their jobs. 

"Citizens and police officers meet each other face-to-face in a neutral, friendly setting, so each group develops an understanding of the other," said Sgt. Kyle Penman. "By helping citizens learn about its operations and personnel, the department hopes to reduce fears and misconceptions that may exist and which result in conflicts caused simply by lack of understanding."

The program started in 2007 at the urging of Chief Rick Rappoport to reach out to the Fairfax community and familiarize its citizens with the men and women serving in their neighborhood police department.

Registration is free and open until March 1. Participants must be over 18 years old and pass a background check. This year's program runs from March 28 to June 6.

Click here to download the registration form.