Community Police Academy

We will be limited to 12 participants to ensure an enriching experience.

Classes are held on Wednesdays, from September 28 through November 9, from 6pm to 9pm.

The Community Police Academy is a 7-week program. Due to the limited space in the class, participants must be able to commit to attend every week of the 7-week program. 

There is no cost to academy participants.

The Community Police Academy is a fascinating, 7-week program designed to give Kirkland community members and business owners a working knowledge of the Kirkland Police Department. The instruction is comprehensive and captivating. Each week focuses on a different area of the department, including:

• New Laws Update
• Mental Health Program
• School Resource Officer Program
• De-Escalation
• Use of Force
• SWAT
• Less Lethal
• Investigations
• Pro-Act
• Traffic
• Evidence
• K9

The academy is taught by Kirkland police officers and other department personnel, each showcasing their individual areas of expertise. The instruction typically combines in-class lectures with hands-on activities including exhilarating live training simulations and the opportunity to investigate a mock “crime scene.”

To provide an opportunity for educating and building positive police relations with community members on an on-going basis; to promote community-Kirkland Police cooperation, understanding, and goodwill.

To gain support for police and to encourage community members to partner with law enforcement to assist in making our community a safer place to live.

To offer community members a better understanding of police functions, how policies are developed, the decision-making process, and what an officer experiences on a day to day basis.

To address community member concerns and perceptions about police officers.

Community Police Academy participants must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Live or work in Kirkland
• Have no prior felony convictions
• Commit to attending class each week of the 7-week program

Academy objectives include enhancing police-community relationships, encouraging Kirkland residents to partner with law enforcement to help make Kirkland a safer place, and to provide residents with a greater understanding of police functions.

Community Police Academy participants are selected by an application review and routine records check.

Participants must register to apply for the program first (this does not mean they're in the class yet), then they will receive information about an online application to complete the submission process. This includes a background check.

Community members will be notified of acceptance by phone or email. 

Deadline to apply is Monday, September 19 at 12pm!

The program will wrap up with an official graduation ceremony.

Community Police Academy participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion signed by Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris.