Citizen Police Academy

Applications

Print, complete, and submit an application and make plans now to attend.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Each class is limited to 25 students so get your application in early to reserve your seat! (Don't wait, applicants are accepted year round.)

The Irving Police Department Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is an educational program designed to provide the public with a working knowledge of the Irving Police Department's personnel and policies. The CPA was developed with the belief that education is the key to understanding and with understanding comes a more open line of communication.

Class members are a cross section of the Irving community. Homemakers, professional business persons, students, laborers, retirees, and others are encouraged to apply for admission. The minimum age for enrollment is 18 and you must live or work in the City of Irving to be eligible to attend.

 **Those interested in applying for the position of a Police Officer should refer to the Police Recruiting page or call (972) 721-3795.

Training Program

The training program is a series of 13 weeks, held once each week for three hours. It consists of classroom and "hands on" instruction, with each session facilitated by department staff from their particular area of expertise. Topics covered include:

  • Criminal Investigations
  • Use of Force
  • Domestic Violence
  • Firearms Training
  • Gang Unit
  • Narcotics Investigations
  • Bomb Unit
  • Pursuit Driving
  • SWAT

Instruction also includes facility tours and the opportunity to participate in the patrol "ride-along" program.

Schedule

The academy is held twice each year; once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Classes are held each Tuesday (Spanish) and Wednesday (English) evening from 7 to 10 p.m. To graduate, each participant is required to attend at least 11 of the 13 weeks. Two classes are scheduled on Saturday as well.

There is no cost for the academy. Graduates of the Irving Citizen Police Academy are not trained to be police officers or vigilantes. The purpose of the academy is to provide information to attendees to allow them to make informed judgments about the police department. Participants learn a day in the life of an Irving Officer assigned to a particular field.

Improving Relations Through Education

It is the hope of the Irving Police Department that the continued availability of the academy will improve police / community relations through this education process. In turn, the department becomes more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community from the participants' interaction and input. Together, we can create a coalition of citizens and police working together to make the City of Irving an even safer place to work and live.

The Irving Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association is comprised of CPA graduates whose mission is to serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Irving Police Department in the Irving community, to provide help and support to the department when requested and to provide to the incidental needs of the department.

Academy in Spanish

In June 2005, the department hosted its first Citizen Police Academy conducted in Spanish. Please call (972) 721-3557, or complete and submit a Spanish application if you are interested in the Spanish CPA.

Start Dates

Spring Academy - Starts in February

Fall Academy - Starts in September

The class has limited seating so please submit your application as soon as possible via online application, fax (972) 721-3731 or drop it off in person at The Irving Police Department.

If you desire further information, please contact the Irving Citizen Police Academy Coordinator at (972) 721-3557.