Who may attend the Academy?

Any interested citizen is encouraged to attend.

Citizens 18 years of age or older.

Citizens must have no prior felony convictions.

When is the Academy?

The Citizens Police Academy will begin March 13 and will consist of six two-hour sessions to be held on Thursday evenings starting at 7 p.m.

How do I apply to the Citizen Police Academy?

Contact the Roanoke Rapids Police Department at 252-533-2811. Advise the Administrative Assistant that you are interested in attending the Academy.

Course Description Instruction

Six two-hour classes held on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

During the Academy citizens will be allowed to fire a variety of police weapons and also ride along with a patrolman.

Course Curriculum

Class 1- March 13 Command staff introduction and 911 Communications. A brief History of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, an explanation of the organizational Chart and overview of the police department and the 911 center staff will instruct on communications.

Class 2- March 27- Patrol Operations and traffic stops. Staff will instruct citizens on the patrol division’s wide variety of responsibilities and citizens will participate in simulated traffic stops.

Class 3- April 3- Crime scene processing- The detective division will instruct citizens on analyzing evidence and citizens will be able to lift latent prints. They will also instruct on crime prevention.

Class 4- April 17- Drug Investigations and K9- The narcotic division will instruct the class on current trending drugs and the k9 Officer will demonstrate the uses of the k9 and his importance as a crime fighting tool.

Class 5- May 1- Juvenile laws and street gangs- The Juvenile Officer will give instructions on gang identification and go through the current trends and problems with juveniles. Ride along with an Officer will also start this week and citizens can sign up to ride with an officer.

Class 6- May 8- Use of Force and firearms- Citizens will receive instruction on the use of force continuum and will report to the firing range for a demonstration. Ride Along with Officers continues.

Graduation- May 22- Certificates will be awarded with a brief ceremony.