Community Police Academy

We will be limited to 15 participants to ensure participants are able to have an enriching virtual experience.

Classes are held on Wednesdays and being promptly at 6:00 pm. 

The Community Police Academy is a six week program.  Due to the limited space in the class, participants must be able to commit to attending each week within the six-week program.

Since this will be done virtually this year please wear appropriate attire as you will be required to login with video. This virtual experience is brand new for 2020 and we are hoping that this will fit the needs of those chosen to participate. 

There is no cost to academy participants. 

Virtual Tips for enhancing your experience:

• Select a location where you will be able to hear and see your phone, computer monitor, or tablet clearly.
• Select a location where you will have no interruptions.
• Select a location with internet where you will be able to stay connected.

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

• Patrol Officer Training
• Investigations
• K-9
• Special Response Team
• Use of Force
• Firearms
• Traffic Enforcement
• Mental Health/De-escalation

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.” This will be a bit different this year since it will be virtual and there will be no activities in person at the police department.

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 of age, must live or work in Kirkland and have no prior felony convictions.

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 a routine records check. Applications will be available online with an online submission process. Notification of acceptance will be made via telephone or email.

The series concludes with an official graduation ceremony in which academy participants are awarded a certificate of completion signed by Police Chief Cherie Harris.