Citizen Police Academy
The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a program of citizens and law enforcement officers partnering together to make a difference in the community. The goal of the CPA is to educate Draper citizens about the structure and activities of the police department. The CPA is a series of classes designed to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at the Draper Police Department. The CPA program operates on the premise that informed and educated citizens will be more supportive of police officers and the department, which in turn makes them more productive within their own communities.
What is the CPA?
The Citizen Police Academy is designed to provide a working knowledge and background of the Draper Police Department in order to foster a closer relationship between our agency and the community. The CPA provides an avenue for community involvement through a first-hand experience of policing. The instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the Police Department and the Justice System each week.
CPA Classes
The eight (8) week CPA course meets one night each week for three (3) hours. Classes are held in the City Council room at City Hall, located at 1020 E Pioneer Rd. Watch for the application period to open again in March 2025.
Topics covered in the CPA class include:
- Overviews of the Draper PD organization and structure
- Information on recruiting and training
- Introductions to the various divisions of the Draper PD and their responsibilities (such as Patrol, Traffic, Investigations, Crime Scene, SWAT and Firearms)
- Use of Force/Police Liability
Hands-on workshops include:
- Traffic-related activities
- Response to domestic violence calls
- "A Day-in-the-Life" scenarios / response to different calls
- Testifying in court
- SWAT, firearms qualifications and shooting
Instructors are from within the police department, with specific skills and knowledge related to the topics covered. CPA class members are given an opportunity to observe police patrol work through a four hour ride-along experience with a patrol officer. On the last day of class, members participate in a formal graduation ceremony and receive a certificate of completion. Following graduation, citizens are eligible to join the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) or Citizens Assisting Police (CAPS) program.
Due to limited seating, the Draper Citizens Police Academy is reserved for residents of Draper City and those who are employed in Draper City. Preference will be given to residents of Draper City. If you live outside of Draper City, we recommend that you contact your local law enforcement agency for CPA availability.