The Pleasant Hill Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy was created in 2023 to allow the community of Pleasant Hill to gain insight and create a better understanding between the citizens and the police department. Each graduating class will produce citizens with firsthand knowledge of the practices and procedures of the police department, as well as the criminal justice system. All law enforcement topics are addressed in the classes, but they are not meant to train the citizens to become police officers.
The classes create an awareness of the variety of criminal activities handled by the Pleasant Hill Police Department. They also demonstrate to the citizen what it takes to keep them safe in their homes and businesses as well as on the highways.
The class will be comprised of men and women of all ages and occupations, as well as retired persons. Participants must be 18 years or older. All participants must consent to a criminal records check, have no felony convictions, no sex offense convictions, and have no active warrants.
The Citizens Academy lasts twelve weeks; one night a week for three hours. In order to receive a certificate, students must attend at least ten of the twelve classes. In addition to the thirty six hours of instruction, students are given the opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer. This enables participants to observe firsthand what an officer deals with on the street.
Classes start on August 22, 2024 and graduation is scheduled for November 14, 2024. Classes are held on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Memorial Building, located at 212 Cedar Street.
To sign up for the class, fill out the form HERE. The class is limited to 30 participants. Contact Chief Wright at [email protected] for further information.