The Lombard Police Department invites citizens living or working in Lombard to participate in its 32nd Annual Citizen’s Police Academy, beginning September 13, 2022. The academy provides an understanding of how the police department operates, modern police procedures, and an inside look at the challenges officers face when serving the community.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is a free, 10-week program held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Lombard Village Hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave, and nearby locations. The program will begin on September 13 and run through November 15, 2022. The academy will consist of classroom instruction, interactive discussions, and hands-on practical exercises focusing on various aspects of police work, including investigations, forensics, traffic stops, firearm training, specialty teams, critical incidents, and more.
Applications are available for printing online and are available for pick up at Lombard Village Hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave, or the Lombard Police Department, 235 E. Wilson Ave.
Class size is limited and citizens may contact Jennifer Wetzel at (630) 873-4462 or email with any questions.
About the Lombard Citizens Police Academy
Since 1997, thirty-one (31) Lombard Police Department Citizens Police Academy sessions have been taught with 536 graduates. The purpose of the Citizens Police Academy is to inform members of our community on the various aspects of the police department and to give them a better understanding of how the police department works. The course curriculum contains a condensed version of basic police training with practical exercises.
Those participating in the academy attended classes and lectures taught by members of the department. The extensive curriculum included lectures on community-oriented policing, crime prevention, laws of arrest, search and seizure, domestic violence and investigations to name a few. Those attending also participated in firearms training, traffic enforcement, police defensive tactics and police ride-along. Classes for the academy are held one day a week for ten weeks, concluding with a graduation ceremony.
"Citizens Police Academies" have been used nationwide by numerous police departments. They report outstanding results in gaining citizen support. As a result, graduates of the academy act as representatives for gaining community support for their police departments and enhance the community policing efforts to reduce crime and fear of crime.