Citizen Police Academy

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The Northampton Police Department's Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program designed to enhance citizen understanding of the role and function of the police department. The Citizen Police Academy is an excellent opportunity for community members to better understand the inner-workings of the police department and to meet the talented and professional women and men of the Northampton Police Department.

Program Description

The Citizen Police Academy is a seven-week course that meets once a week for three hours. The course includes lectures, class discussions, and hands-on opportunities for class participants.

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Class Instructors

The course is instructed by police administrators, supervisors, detectives, and officers from the Northampton Police Department.  We also have instructors who are dispatchers from the Northampton Public Safety Center.

Course Topics

  • Recruitment and Training
  • Communications and Dispatch
  • Tours of the police station and dispatch center
  • Patrol Procedures and Traffic Stops
  • Bike Patrol and Foot Patrol
  • Motor Vehicle Law including radar/lidar and OUI
  • City Ordinance Violations
  • Juvenile Offenders
  • Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
  • Sex Crimes and Sex Offender Registration
  • Use of Force
  • Detective Bureau and Criminal Investigations
  • Search and Seizure
  • Narcotics
  • Crime Scene Services and Forensics
  • Death Investigation
  • sUAS (Drones)

Course Time

The 2023 Citizen Police Academy will be held from Febreuary 4th to March 25th on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. 

Course Location

The CPA is held in the Community Room at the Northampton Police Department, 29 Center Street, Northampton, MA.

Qualifications

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must pass a background check. Preference will be given to Northampton residents. Three seats will be held for high school students who are under 18 years of age but who exhibit exceptional maturity and interest in the field of law enforcement.

Applications

Please click the link below for an application. You can also find them in the lobby of the police department.

 CPA APPLICATION   

Once completed, applications may be dropped off at the police station or may be mailed to:

Northampton Police Department
29 Center Street
Northampton, MA  01060
ATTN:  Sergeant Patrick Moody

Questions

Any questions regarding the Citizen Police Academy may be directed to Sergeant Patrick Moody, CPA Supervisor.

Citizen Police Academy Supervisor
SSgt. Patrick Moody

 Citizen Police Academy Links

National Citizens Police Academy Association