YUMA, Arizona.- The Yuma Police Department is holding the 2023 Citizens Police Academy, and is now accepting applications. The academy is designed to educate the citizens of Yuma about the daily operations of the Yuma Police Department.
The academy, which is twelve (12) weeks long, will give participants an opportunity to see how the police department works and get some “hands on“ instruction on various topics relating to police work. Some of those classes include: a driving course, firearms training, building searches, decision making scenarios, K9 demonstration, Crime Scene processing, Narcotics, Gangs, Animal Control, Driving Under the Influence and Traffic Laws. Participants will also get a tour of the department and have to complete a ride-a-long with an officer.
We will be holding two separate academies, one on Tuesday nights and one on Wednesday nights. They will start on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 and Wednesday, January 11, 2023 with a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 and Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Classes will be held every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with some nights running until 10:00 pm.
Classes will be held at the Yuma Police Department, 1500 S. 1st Avenue, and at the Public Safety Training Facility. There is no fee for attending the academy.
Preference will be given to residents of the City of Yuma. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and pass a background check. The class size is limited to 14 participants each night due to the scenario based training.
Applications for the academy can be picked up at the Yuma Police Department records window, 1500 S. 1st Avenue or you can ask for an electronic copy to be sent via email. The deadline for application submission is Monday, December 5, 2022 or until 28 participants fill the class.
If you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact Sergeant Lori Franklin at 373-4732 or e-mail Lori.Franklin@Yumaaz.gov, or Officer Christina Fernandez at 373-4746 or email Christina.fernandez@yumaaz.gov.