What is the Community Police Academy?
The Community Police Academy (CPA) is an eleven-week program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Unified Police Department and Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. It consists of a series of classroom discussions and hands-on scenarios. Training is held one evening a week. There is one academy classe in the Fall. Each class size is limited to approximately 40 students. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls, other than your full commitment to attend each week.
The goal of the CPA is to create a better understanding, improve communication, and partnership with the community and the Unified Police Department through education. Community Oriented Policing plays an important role in reducing crime in any community. Therefore the UPD instituted the CPA to improve communication and obtain input and support throughout the communities we serve. It is our hope that graduates of the CPA become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the issues that are affecting our community.
Who attends the CPA?
Community members in the service area of the Unified Police Department and the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office are all openly invited to enroll. Preference will be given to those living and working in our jurisdictions.
Previous attendees have been; community council members, neighborhood watch members, teachers, bankers, homemakers, business owners, lawyers, students and others. People from all walks of life and with a variety of history with law enforcement have participated in and benefited from the academy.
When do classes meet?
The Unified Police Department and Sheriff's Office host one academy sessions per year (August - November). They meet in the evening hours, one night a week.
The next class is scheduled for Fall or 2022, watch for more details.
What subjects are covered?
Classes may include, but are not limited to:
- Jail Tour
- Dispatch
- Court House
- Crime Lab
- Firearms Training
- Non-Lethal Weapons
- Canine
- SWAT / Special Operations
- Traffic Stops / High-Risk Stops
- Gangs
- Narcotics
- Violent Crimes
- Special Victims Unit
- Domestic Violence
- Building Searches
- Scenarios (Day in the Life)
Do I Graduate with a certification?
The CPA is an educational tool only. At the end of the course participants will have a better knowledge of how the UPD works and what a police officer does on a day-to-day basis. There are no certifications given during this course.
What is the cost?
The CPA is a free class we offer to residents living or working within our jurisdiction. The only thing we ask is for your full commitment to attend each week.
How do I participate?
The Community Academy is limited to 30 people per class and there is one class offered per year. Your name will go on a waiting list, if there are no seats available in the upcoming class.