VB Citizens' Police Academy

Virginia Beach Citizens' Police Academy
Currently Accepting Applications Through September 12, 2008

Have you ever wondered why officers can’t just kick down a door to catch a supposed “bad guy?” What type of equipment does the SWAT team use and why do they use it? How are serious crimes investigated and what exactly does the Forensics Unit do at a major crime scene? You can find out answers to these questions and many more while attending the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy. The Academy provides an excellent opportunity for citizens, who live and/or work in the City of Virginia Beach, to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of the police department. This will enable participants to gain a better understanding of the procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, personnel, equipment, policies, and laws that guide the department's decisions. Citizens will hear the accounts and experiences of a wide variety of police personnel and will also engage in hands-on activities. This class is not intended to make citizens into police officers but to allow citizens to learn more about police operations. Citizens will become informed as to the actual role of the police and, in return, the police will benefit from the wealth of knowledge the citizens can give about their community. A police ride-along opportunity will be offered during the session for observation of the officers’ daily duties.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 26th session, which will run from September 23, 2008 through November 25, 2008, with classes held every Tuesday night from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. The class will be held at the Virginia Beach Municipal Complex, Human Resources Building No. 19, Classroom A. Applications are available at any Virginia Beach Police Precinct, the Crime Prevention Unit Building #15 at the Municipal Center, or you can print a copy from the city’s web site http://www.vbgov.com/file_source/dept/police/Document/CPA-Application.pdf. Completed applications for this session must be received by the Crime Prevention Office either by mail or personal delivery by Friday, September 12, 2008. Please do not drop off completed applications at a police precinct. Seating is limited to 30 citizens.

Topics that are discussed in the academy include:
ü Recruitment Selection and Training
ü A Day in the Life of a Patrol Officer
ü Firearms Safety & Range Operations
ü Deadly Force Encounters
ü Forensics
ü Basic Criminal Law
ü Special Operations
ü Crime Prevention Programs
ü Special Investigations (narcotics, vice, gang investigations)
ü Police Chaplains Program
ü Criminal Investigations
ü Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney/Criminal Prosecutions
ü Media Relations

For further information, call MPO Jeff Eaton at 385-1066, bjeaton@vbgov.com or MPO Leta Krieger at 385-1324, lkrieger@vbgov.com.


MPO Jimmy Barnes, Public Relations/Marketing Office, 385-4494, jfbarnes@vbgov.com