In cooperation with the Champaign County Sheriff's Office, the University of Illinois Police Department, the Urbana Police Department, the Champaign Police Department, the Rantoul Police Department, the Mahomet Police Department, and District 10 of the Illinois State Police, the Police Training Institute is offering the Champaign County Citizen Police Academy.

The Citizen Police Academy is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that face law enforcement efforts in Champaign County.

The goals of the citizen academy are: 1) to provide stronger citizen/police relationships; 2) to enhance lines of communication; and, 3) the reduction of crime in our community.

		Citizens and police officers have an opportunity to work closely together
		Lines of communication between community residents and their police are enhanced
		Citizens gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding controversial issues faced by their communities
		Citizen involvement with their local community and police departments is enhanced
		Citizens gain a better understanding of how their police departments work and develop ways in which the community can better reduce crime
		Citizens become aware of the problems facing their police departments

Community Relations
The goal of the Citizen Police Academy is not only to help local residents better understand police work in their community, but to develop stronger ties between our community and police agencies in an effort to better address crime issues.

Community Based Policing is an important and vital aspect of crime control in any community. It is through community cooperation and planning that we can best ensure quality police services in an organized effective crime prevention effort.

The Citizen Police Academy is yet another mechanism for local police departments to inform the public of what they do, improve communication, and obtain citizen input, assistance, and support throughout the county.

The Citizen Police Academy consists of ten, three-hour blocks of instruction conducted over a ten week period. Classes are being held at the Police Training Institute on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm until 9:30 pm.

Each evening of instruction has been designed to inform participants of various crime problems. Possible solutions to these problems and the police role in Champaign County will be discussed.

Crime Prevention
The instruction provided at the Citizen Police Academy will include topics relevant to the Champaign County crime problems, such as: crime prevention and community based policing, drugs, gangs, DARE, domestic violence, DUI enforcement, citizen police contacts, the Use of Force Model and use of force, firearms safety and the law, use of vehicle driver training simulators, a tour of the Champaign County Jail, METCAD and a patrol ride-along with your local department.

The instruction will be provided by officers and trainers from each of the participating agencies.

Community Based Policing
Participants will be asked to help identify problems and solutions to those crime issues affecting our community. Graduates of the program will receive a certificate of completion. Graduates can become members of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association.

		BAT Instruments and Demo
		C.A. Alumni Association
		Crime Stoppers
		Neighborhood Watch
		DUI Enforcement
		How Not to be a Victim
		Use of Force
		Tour of METCAD
		Bomb Disposal Unit
		Community Based Policing
		D.A.R.E.
		Driving Simulators
		Group Discussion
		K-9 Demo
		Police-Citizen Contact
		Tour of PTI
		Champaign County Crime Problem
		Crime Prevention
		Defensive Tactics
		Drugs and Gangs
		Firearms Safety
		Domestic Violence and the Police Response
		Tour of the Chapaign County Jail
		Orientation to Law Enforcement