Citizens Police Academy.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 31.04 CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish the guidelines for the operation of the Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA). II. PROCEDURE: A. O...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 31.04 CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY Revised: September 22, 2021 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish the guidelines for the operation of the Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA). II. PROCEDURE: A. OVERVIEW OF THE CPA: 1. The goal of the CPA is to educate the residents of Boca Raton in the many facets of the Department and to build positive community relations between the citizens and the department. 2. Classes are typically held once a week and feature speakers from various units within the Department, a K-9 demonstration, and an observation session in the Communications Center. 3. B. The CPA may be conducted twice annually. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. The CPA is overseen by the volunteer coordinator. 2. The volunteer coordinator shall be responsible for the scheduling and planning of CPA classes. The volunteer coordinator may conduct the following activities while planning a class: a. Select the dates for the CPA and notify the chief’s office through the chain of command. b. Notify the Public Information Office (PIO) to assist in advertising and posting social media notifications of the upcoming classes. c. Notify the criminal justice departments at FAU, PBSC, and Lynn University for student inclusion. d. Reserve a classroom for each night of the CPA. e. Prepare the schedule of classes and send a schedule to all instructors. Effective: November 1, 2001 Revised: September 22, 2021 Citizen’s Police Academy SOP No. 34.01 Page 1 of 3 f. Prepare student packets. g. Prepare certificates of completion for students. h. Review program evaluations with supervisor for lessons learned for improvement. 3. The volunteer coordinator is responsible for retaining copies of student rosters and applications. C. APPLICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY: 1. Applicants interested in attending the CPA must complete an electronic application. 2. D. Applicants’ residency status will be given priority in the following order: a. City residents b. Criminal justice students c. Residents of unincorporated Boca Raton d. Residents of other cities 3. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 4. Applicants will be subject to a background investigation. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: 1. A background investigation shall be conducted on each applicant by the Department’s background investigator(s). The investigation shall include: a. Local Records Check b. Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles c. PALMS d. Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center 2. A record’s check request will be sent to the Department records section. 3. not. Written notification will be sent to the applicants whether he/she is accepted or 4. Copies of all completed background investigations shall be retained with the Professional Standards Bureau administrative assistant until completion of the CPA. Disposition of records shall be in accordance with State records retention laws. Effective: November 1, 2001 Revised: September 22, 2021 Citizen’s Police Academy SOP No. 34.01 Page 2 of 3 E. CLASS PHOTO: 1. F. A crime scene technician will take a photograph of the class. CLASS GRADUATION: 1. Certificates of completion will be distributed to participants. 2. Participants will have the opportunity to complete program evaluation forms. Approved: Michele Miuccio Chief of Police Effective: November 1, 2001 Revised: September 22, 2021 Date: Citizen’s Police Academy SOP No. 34.01 Page 3 of 3