Citizen Police Academy

The Reading Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy is designed to acquaint the citizens of Reading with the operations of the police department. It is our intention that after the completion of the 12 week course, participants will have a better understanding of the law enforcement role in the criminal justice system and a better appreciation for the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s complex society. Citizen Police Academy participants are not actually trained for police work but the course is structured in a way to provide as much information as possible in enjoyable and interesting ways. There will be no fee, exams or homework. We ask only that participants attend each week and be prepared to become involved and participate in discussions. For our classes, we are interested in having as diverse a student body as possible and representative of the residents of the City of Reading and its different neighborhoods.

The citizens who participate in this program will attend classes for the 12 week program, two hours, one evening a week. The program will include sessions on patrol operations and internal affairs, an overview of the Pa. Crimes Code, a meeting with criminal court judges and other criminal justice personnel. The course features a ride-along program where the participants get to ride with a Reading police officer during their shift. Sessions on investigative operations and evidence collection are included. You will also have an opportunity to test your skill and judgment on the computer-based Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). Many more interesting sessions taught by 18 different instructors are planned and the format is constantly changing to reflect the wishes of the participants.

We hope participants will take with them part of the enthusiasm that has gone into the development of this course of study. A great deal of time and effort has been expended to make this project a success in the City of Reading. We sincerely hope you learn and benefit from this experience.

The next Citizen Police Academy is scheduled to start March 19, 2007. If you are interested in additional information or would like to receive an application, please call the Academy at 610-655-6332.