Citizens' Police Academy

September 17, 2008 - November 19, 2008

The Citizens' Academy is a ten week program designed to provide Ashland are residents, in an academy setting, first-hand information about how their Police Department works. Participation in the academy requires a commitment of one night a week for ten weeks. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. A tour of the police station headquarters will be conducted. The classes will be held each week at the Ashland Town Public Library unless otherwise specified.

What Subjects are included?

The first session begins with an opening ceremony, Department tour, and with a presentation of the Department's philosophy towards Community Oriented Policing and general Policing overview. Following sessions will include classes on Communications, Community Policing, property and evidence, patrol procedures, Juvenile Unit, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officer, Records, Criminal Law, Training & Employee Development, Crime Analysis, Special Investigations, Defensive Tactics, Crime Scene, Victim Assistance, E-911 dispatch, K-9 and Animal Control and various other specialties. Also at some point beyond the seventh session, members may, if they choose to do so, ride in a patrol car for one shift to see first hand what Officers see and hear, and what they are trained to do under a variety of circumstances.

Throughout, participants are encouraged to ask questions and discuss topics with Department personnel.

Click here to download and print the Ashland Citizens' Police Academy Course Curriculum UPDATED 10/27/2008

What is the purpose of the Academy?

The Academy is designed to increase understanding between the citizens and the police through education and information sharing. Our intent is to acquaint citizens with law enforcement's role in the criminal justice system, and provide increased understanding of the task Police Officers face in their daily work. With better understanding, it becomes easier for police and citizens to find realistic solutions to neighborhood problems.

Who teaches the Academy Sessions?

The instructors are officers from the Department and other personnel in the Criminal Justice System who teach in their own areas of expertise. Each has years of training and experience in the subject. The officers also bring a number of years of street experience into the classroom.

How are participants selected?

The Department attempts to reflect the broadest possible range within our community: this includes young and more experienced, men and women, and representatives of special ethnic, cultural and civic minded groups.

Click here to download and print the Ashland Citizens' Police Academy Course Application

Community oriented Policing

The Ashland Police Department's philosophy of community oriented policing seeks to create / generate a partnership with our citizens. This philosophy encourages citizens to develop a sense of cooperation with the police, in our common goal of providing a shared quality of life, in a safe and secure community, free of crime and the fear of crime for all our citizens.

The Citizens' Academy will be one of several programs that are being developed from the Department's Community Family Affairs Division and the Department's progressive Community Oriented Policing philosophy. We encourage you the explore some of the programs and to join with us in partnership in keeping the community of Ashland a unique and safe place to live and raise a family.

Fore more information, contact Officer Ed Pomponio at 508-881-1212 x50.