Now accepting applications for the upcoming Citizens Police Academy

The Lake Oswego Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2011 Citizens Police Academy. This class runs from September 5, 2012 until December 5, 2012. The Academy is designed to provide insight and understanding for community members as to the mission and service delivery of our criminal justice system, most especially our Police Departments.

Academy trainees will have an opportunity to meet many of the men and women who have sworn to serve and protect our communities and to experience first-hand some of the daily decisions officers must make as well as the reasoning behind those decisions. The goal of the Citizens Police Academy is to provide an opportunity for attendees to experience and understand the role of law enforcement in helping to provide livable communities and how the community also has a significant responsibility in the success or failure of the police effort. The Academy will educate citizens as to the mission of public safety, the role of police to help preserve livable communities, and the knowledge, responsibility and skills required of people in order to serve as police officers. Attendees will receive information regarding various aspects of law enforcement, as well as have the opportunity to do some "hands on training". All courses are designed to be interesting and informative.

Attendees are invited, and selected to attend the Academy, by the Chiefs of Police or their assigned designees. Requirements for admission to the Academy have been established in order to maintain the quality of the program for both the citizens and trainers providing instruction during the Academy.

Applicants must meet the following basic requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years of age, or have signed parental or guardian permission form;
2. Be a resident of, or be sponsored by the Police Deptartment, of the Cities of Milwaukie, West Linn, Gladstone or Lake Oswego, or work in or own a business in any of these communities;
3. Be able to pass a complete background check (includes but may not be limited to criminal history & driver's license status);
4. Be available for all of the class sessions;
5. Be approved for attendance by your city's Chief of Police, or assigned designee; and
6. Sign a liability waiver.

Attendees will be encouraged to ride along with a member of the police department during or immediately following the Academy.

The Citizens Academy will be held evenings and a couple of Saturdays for 13 weeks, one of which will be the graduation ceremony. Most classes will be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be two full Saturdays of instruction and several "hands on" activities. The location of classes will change as the different aspects of training are explored. You will be given the actual location schedule at orientation.

Please do not apply unless you are certain you can keep to this substantial time commitment. Your regular attendance is very important to the rest of the class and to the instructors. Any student that misses more than 2 classes will be asked to sign up for the following year's Academy and will no longer be considered a member of this current year's Academy. Upon completion of the Academy, a graduation ceremony will be held acknowledging the time and effort of all the attendees.

Please click here to view the application for this Academy. Then, please print the form, fill it out and return it no later than July 30, 2012 to:

To see the tentative class schedule for this year's Academy, please click here.