citizen academY

Ever wonder why we do what we do? Join the Citizen Academy!

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) Citizen Academy allows you a special and unique opportunity to learn about your police department through a highly interactive experience. You will be exploring a wide variety of topics presented by officers, detectives and command staff from APD. The program is designed to promote and enhance citizen understanding and awareness of the role of the Anchorage Police Department within our community. The objective of the course is not to prepare graduates to become police officers, but instead to instill in citizens a greater general knowledge of the many functions of the Anchorage Police Department. The academy is free of charge and open to anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or owns property in Anchorage.

Academy Dates & Times

APD’s Citizen Academy 25-1 will be held at APD’s Headquarters every Wednesday from March 12, 2025 – May 28, 2025, from 6:30pm - 9:30pm. We accept and process applications on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is confirmed after a background check is complete.

Requirements to Attend

Individuals who apply for the Citizen Academy must be at least 18 years of age. They must also live in the Municipality of Anchorage, work in the Municipality of Anchorage, or own property in the Municipality. All applicants must pass a background check.

Reason to Attend

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime. Therefore, APD instituted the Citizen Academy to improve communication and to obtain citizen input and support throughout the city. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting our community. Graduates will gain knowledge that they can implement to enhance the quality of life in their respective neighborhoods.

Subjects Taught

The following are subjects taught and may include the following:

Computer Crimes
School Resource Officers
DUI
Property Crimes
Drug Investigations
Child Abuse & Sexual Assault
APD K9 Program
Homicide/Crime Scene Investigations
Firearm Safety
Dispatch (911) Telecommunications
Traffic Enforcement and Investigations
SWAT Team

Participants will gain a working knowledge of the duties and responsibilities required to be a law enforcement officer in your community.

Benefits

Graduates will be encouraged to join the Anchorage Police Citizen Academy Alumni Association (APCAAA). This will give graduates the opportunity for continued education in the field of law enforcement and also allow them to have an interactive association and volunteer opportunities with the police department.

Goals

One of the goals of the Citizen Academy, of course, is to help the residents of Anchorage better understand how policing is conducted in their community. It is hoped that all Citizen Academy graduates will learn more about the men and women who are protecting their community and learn how and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.