Citizens Police Academy
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Once a year, the Dover Police Department presents an opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the specific mission that has been entrusted to the members of the Dover Police Department. The Dover Police Department Citizen's Police Academy brings the police and the community together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each student. Students receive a course of instruction that is 12 weeks long and is scheduled in a manner that allows each week to build upon the previous week’s lesson. This ensures that the student has a thorough understanding of the assorted functions of the Dover Police Department. The program also allows many hands on opportunities, as well as a ride along with a patrol officer. Participants are taught the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, firearms, accident investigation, deadly force issues, crime scene processing and many other topics. Instructors are law enforcement officers who teach both veteran and recruit police officers. Students leave this training with a greater understanding of the Dover Police Department’s mission and with an increased ability to see how the police serve the community. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop a lasting bond between law enforcement and the community. On the final night of class the Dover Police Department hosts a formal graduation ceremony in the same manner and tradition that a sworn member of the force would be given. The 25th session was held in the fall 2010 and graduated 15 students. This brings the total number of alumni to 400 since the first session was held in 1994. |
