Divisions | Division of Training and Education | About The New Haven Police - Citizen's Academy
The Course - How It Works. The purpose of the New Haven Police - Citizen's Academy is to improve communication, understanding, collaboration and respect between New Haven Police and citizens. Under the direction of New Haven Police Academy staff a wide variety of subjects and issues are presented and discussed, beginning with the goals, objectives, and expectations of both police and city officials. The community-based outreach conducted to identify and select qualified New Haven Police Academy students is also discussed. Graduates of the New Haven Police Academy outline the benefit of their education along with the treatment, rights, and responsibilities and respect every officer has the right to expect in our city. The Citizen's Academy is not the New Haven Police Academy, and Citizen's Academy graduates are not certified police officers. For information about the Citizen's Academy contact the New Haven Police Academy at 203-946-6309, weekdays, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Highlights of Topics And Issues. Policing: From Occupation to Profession...., Law Enforcement vs. Policing..., Evolution vs. Revolution..., Community Policing in New Haven..., Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation in Male-oriented Environments..., Police/Youth Relations..., Alone in a Dark Alley - Both Sides of the Fence..., "Just the Facts Ma'am..." "But What Did I Do Wrong Officer?..." "You Have the Right...", Bias and Hate Crimes: Beyond the KKK..., From Dirty Harry to Lieutenant Anita Van Buren: Images of Policing in Film..., Racial Profiling: Laws, Controversy and Reality..., CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design..., 911: Its Changing Role..., Yale Child Study Center and Understanding Child Victims and Witnesses to Violence..., Using Force: Solving Problems, Making Decisions, and Saving Lives..., TimeZ Up..., Project One Voice..., 5,360 per Year..., Victim vs. Survivor - What Makes the Difference..., School Resource Officers - From Hall Monitors to Cops..., Policing Through Partnerships - Unlikely Liaisons..., The Future of Policing - Talk to the Mayor and the Chiefs.
Electives and Site Visits. An integral part of the New Haven Police - Citizen's Academy is its Electives Program. Participants are encouraged to sign up for one or more in a series of activities and events designed to enhance their understanding of community policing in New Haven as well as to elicit frank feedback and discussion about issues of concern to both police and civilians. The program is held during hours outside regular evening classes and includes options and site visits such as:
- Ride-alongs with police supervisors;
- Individual tours of police facilities with state-of-the-art communication and computer data centers;
- Site visits and meetings with individuals from agencies with which the department has developed long-term collaborations: the Yale Child Study Center (Child Development - Community Policing Program), CityKids @ Safespace New Haven, the Inner City Cultural Development Program and area soup kitchens, shelters for survivors of domestic violence and centers for run-away youth, homeless people and individuals with mental health issues.
Schedule and Logistics. The Citizen's Academy includes a three-hour classroom or field session one night a week, over the course of ten weeks at the New Haven Police Academy, 710 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT 06511. Depending when the Citizen's Academy is offered, applications for admission are available at the front desk of the New Haven Department of Police Service, One Union Avenue, at all police substations, and at the Yale University Police Department. Also, when the Citizen's Academy is offered, announcements are done through the media and direct mailings to community groups, educational institutions, and other agencies. Completed applications must be returned in person to the New Haven Police Academy during the specified time periods .
Who Should Apply. Adult New Haven residents are encouraged to apply for admission. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. No application or tuition fees are charged. The ideal applicant should:
- Be at least 18 years old (there is no upper age limit);
- Have demonstrated or be able to describe his/her commitment to improving police/community relations, understanding, collaboration and respect;
- Be willing to actively participate in all ten class sessions as well as to do outside reading and assignments.
- Be willing to work actively and respectively with individuals of both genders as well as those of all races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, ages, ideologies, physical abilities, and backgrounds;
- Be willing to participate in the Citizen's Academy Elective Program;
- Not have an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest, have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving the use of a weapon;
- Be willing to have the New Haven Department of Police Service conduct a criminal background check;
- Be willing to follow all rules and regulations as described in the Citizen's Academy student handbook; and
- Have good written and verbal skills in English.
Selection Process. Citizen's Academy applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee appointed by the New Haven Chief of Police and Board of Police Commissioners. Candidates are selected on the basis of commitment to improving police/community relations, and will come from the city's ten policing districts. Prospective candidates will include men and women from a variety of races, religions, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, ideologies, physical abilities and life experiences. Background checks are conducted on candidates. Candidates selected are notified by phone and/or U.S. Mail.
