Each year, the Rock Island Police Department participates in the Citizens Police Academy
in partnership with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois State Police District 7, and the police departments of Moline, East Moline, Silvis, and Milan.
WHAT IS A CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY?
The Citizen Police Academy is an eleven-week program designed to give the participant a basic knowledge of how your police department operates. Instruction will be presented by police officers from the sponsoring agencies. Participants will have an opportunity to shoot a police-issued handgun and tour the county jail. The sessions are informal and questions are encouraged. Participants are also encouraged to go on patrol as a “Ride Along" to witness first-hand the police officer's work on the beat. Each weekly session begins promptly at 6:30 pm and lasts until 9:30 pm. Even though class time is set aside for questions, most instructors are available after class to answer more in-depth or personal questions.
WHY A CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY?
Policing is not just the work of police officers. On the contrary, the police cannot protect every citizen at all times. It takes the cooperation of citizens like you for the police department to be effective. Years ago, the phrase “The Thin Blue Line" was used to describe the police as the only protection between order and chaos. The thought among many police officers was "us against them." Neither of these thoughts is valid. With most police agencies, adopting community policing philosophies, the emphasis is on cooperation and problem solving. Working together is the only way to identify problems and then solve them. The Citizen Police Academy is designed to bring citizens and police together. We not only explain our jobs, but we also get feedback and learn from you.
WHO CAN ENROLL?
Persons who apply to enroll in the Citizen Police Academy must be at least 21 years of age and live or work in the Illinois Quad City metro area. Applicants will be subjected to a background and criminal history check.
Completed applications may be dropped off at sponsoring police departments during regular business hours.
Illinois Quad City Police Departments Citizen Academy Application