CARBONDALE – The Carbondale Police Department is taking applications for the Citizens Police Academy.

The purpose of the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) is to develop positive relations and a better understanding and communication between the police and the community through education. The goal is to create a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens, who have the potential of influencing public opinions about police practices and services.

Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions.  The citizens will also have an opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the police.

The Basic Academy will focus on an overview of police department divisions, patrol tactics, traffic stops, investigations, and crime scenes. Classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on the following schedule:

#1 – Wednesday, February 5, 2025
#2 – Wednesday, February 12, 2025
#3 – Wednesday, February 19, 2025
#4 – Wednesday, February 26, 2025
#5 – Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Anyone is welcome to apply for the free academy. Every applicant will undergo a background check.  Our goal is to increase each student’s knowledge of “who, what, when, why, and how” the Carbondale Police Department operates.  For more information about the academy or to complete a secure online form please follow this link:

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/206/Citizens-Police-Academy

Applications are also available at the Carbondale Police Department at 501 South Washington Street. Anyone with questions about the academy can also contact Randy Mathis at 457-3200 ext. 402 or at rmathis@explorecarbondale.com. Applications are due by Monday, February 3, 2025, by 5 p.m..

The Citizens Police Academy is not a part of the hiring process for the position of Police Officer with the City of Carbondale.