Citizens Police Academy

Upcoming Sessions

Each year, the Moline Police Department participates in the Citizens Police Academy in partnership with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois State Police District 7, and the police departments of East Moline, Rock Island, Silvis, and Milan. 

We will be accepting applications for the next session scheduled to run January 25 through March 29, 2023. The 2023 academy will be coordinated by the Moline Police Department, for information, contact Deputy Chief Steve VenHuizen at 309.524.2234.

About the Program

The Citizens Police Academy is an 11-week program designed to give the participants a basic knowledge of how the police department operates. Classroom instruction is presented by police officers from the sponsoring agencies, and participants have an opportunity to shoot a police-issued handgun and tour the county jail. The sessions are informal, and questions are encouraged. Participants are also encouraged to go on patrol as a ride-along to witness first-hand the police officer’s work on the beat.

Weekly Sessions & Times

Each weekly session is from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Even though class time is set aside for questions, most instructors are available after class to answer more in-depth or personal questions. At the conclusion of the course, participants are awarded special certificates and honored at a dinner reception.

Program Benefits

Benefits of the program include:

  • Citizens and police officers have an opportunity to work closely together and exchange views.
  • Citizens gain a better understanding of how their police department works.
  • Citizens can better appreciate how the criminal justice system works and be aware of some of the restrictions the police deal with.
  • Citizens can see first-hand how their tax dollars are being spent.
  • Police officers get feedback from citizens who are not directly involved in law enforcement.
  • Crime can be reduced by cooperation between the citizens and the Police Department.

Enrollment

Participants must be at least 21 years old to apply for enrollment and live or work in the Illinois quad city metropolitan area. Applicants are subjected to a background and criminal history check. Class will be limited to 25 participants.

Completed applications may be dropped off at sponsoring police departments during regular business hours.

Citizens Police Academy Application 2023

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