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.
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
The CPA is held in the Community Room at the Northampton Police Department, 29 Center Street, Northampton, MA. The dates for the 2025 CPA are Jan 1st - March 22nd, from 8:00-11:00am.
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.
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
Any questions regarding the Citizen Police Academy may be directed to Sergeant Patrick Moody, CPA Supervisor.