What is the Citizen Police Academy?

The Citizen Police Academy is a twelve-week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Schaumburg Police department. It consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week, on a designated evening, for three-hour duration. There are two sessions a year, and each is limited to 25 students. There is no cost to anyone who enrolls.

The classes will provide an overview of the various areas of law enforcement. It is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the Village of Schaumburg.

What are the goals?

Among the goals of the Citizen Police Academy is to help the residents of Schaumburg to better understand how the police work in their community. It is hoped that all graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing that duty.

Why we have the program?

The Schaumburg Police Department is committed to the philosophy of Community Policing. The Citizen Police Academy will provide a forum to improve the lines of communication between the police and the community. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to quality of life issues that face our community. Graduates will be able to take their knowledge back into their neighborhoods where they can inform other community members about the police department.

What are the benefits?

Community members will become much more informed about the Schaumburg Police Department, which will provide for better understanding of what the police can and cannot do. The police and the citizens benefit by meeting each other face to face in a neutral, friendly setting. Participating citizens get to know the person behind the badge. Police are exposed to citizens, who instead of demanding something, are interacting with them in a non-confrontational environment. As a result, police officers and citizens foster an improved relationship with increased respect for one another. Community leaders and activists can enhance their leadership efforts by gaining a better understanding of their police department.

Who can attend?

Individuals who apply for the Citizen Police Academy must be at least 18 years of age. They must also either live or work in the Village of Schaumburg. Applicants will be subject to a background check, and will be informed in writing as to whether they have been accepted, denied, or placed on a waiting list for a future class.

On graduation day, you'll get a certificate like this one (click the image to see a larger version)

... and get your picture taken with your class. This is the class of spring 2000.

When does CPAAAS get involved with new graduates?

CPAAAS members are allowed to attend any Citizens Police Academy classes if they are looking for a refresher, want to learn more about a specific topic, or just want to meet new graduates.

On graduation day, CPAAAS gives a packet of materials to each graduate that includes information on CPAAAS. Included is a letter to the graduates.

If you are a graduate of the Citizen Police Academy and have NOT signed up to be a member of the alumni association, you can print the application here and mail it to the Schaumburg Police Department. (The address is on the Contact Us page.)

What it is not?

The Citizens Police Academy is not designed to make participants certified police officers. The contents of this course are of an informative nature only, and it is not intended that the graduates have the authority of or as police officers.

See a sample from the spring 2005 schedule here!

Those wishing to apply, or just seeking more information about the Citizen Police Academy, please contact:

Schaumburg Police Department

1000 W. Schaumburg Road

Schaumburg, IL 60194

Phone: (847) 882-3586
Fax: (847) 882-1479

You can also access the most current police academy information on the Village of Schaumburg web site by clicking here.

Page last updated: January 28, 2005

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