It is important for a Police Department to have interaction and cooperation with the general public. One way to accomplish this goal is through an exchange of ideas and education.
The Decatur Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy is an excellent means to achieve this end. The Academy is designed to acquaint the public with operations of the police department. It is our intention that at the completion of the program, participants will have a better understanding of the police officer’s role in the criminal justice system and the community, as well as an appreciation of the many challenges facing law enforcement in today’s society.
The course is structured to provide as much information as possible in enjoyable and interesting ways. There is no fee for the classes. We only require that the participants come each week prepared to be involved in discussions and demonstrations.
The Citizens Police Academy will include information on Patrol Operations, the Criminal Investigation Division, Municipal Court Processes, the Office of Professional Standards as well as other disciplines. In addition to tours of police buildings, participants will also take part in an interactive firearms training simulation, and tour the Morgan County 911 dispatch facility where they will witness the processing of raw emergency information. Upon completion of the Academy, program members may schedule to participate in the Decatur Police Department’s ride-a-long program.
We invite Decatur residents ages 21 and over to be a part of the cooperative effort between the police department and the community. The 2026 Citizens Police Academy will take place on Tuesdays starting May 26 – July 14 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Class size is limited to 25 members.
Feel free to copy and share the Citizens Police Academy Application with anyone else that might be interested in the program. Return your application to the 2nd floor of Decatur City Hall by May 8, 2026. All applicants are subject to a background check.
If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Timothy Jackson or call (256) 341-4617.
