Citizens Police Academy

The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is an educational program designed to give our citizens a better understanding about law enforcement and how police officers work with the community. 

The classes provide a way to educate and develop positive relations with our citizens. It is an ongoing process to build community cooperation, understanding and good will. There is no cost to attend. Citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with the police department may join CPD's Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) Program once they graduate from the Citizens Police Academy.

The training program is a series of 10 classes, held one day per week for three hours. To graduate, each participant is required to attend at least eight of the 10 classes. The start of the next academy will be on Sept. 24, 2023.

CPA Objectives and Topics 

• Communications
• Property and Evidence
• Patrol Procedures
• Criminal Investigations
• Professional Standards
• Recruitment and selection
• Crime Analysis
• Special Investigations
• Crime Scene Search
• SWAT Team
• and Much More!

Participants will also ride with a police officer on patrol and observe the 911 communications center.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and live, work or volunteer in Cleburne.
• Background check: No person with a Class A misdemeanor or higher conviction, including a Family Violence conviction, shall be allowed to attend the class. A Class B misdemeanor conviction has a 10-year disqualification period. All disqualifiers shall remain concurrent to and consistent with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s TCIC/TLETS ACCESS POLICY, December 2019, or any additional policy amendments.
• You will be automatically disqualified if you have any outstanding warrants, pending court dates in either Municipal, State, or Federal courts, or a conviction of the following: issuance of bad check, public lewdness, theft or any other crime of “moral turpitude”. You will not be allowed to attend the Citizen Police Academy until such warrants are cleared and all cases are adjudicated.
• The Cleburne Police Department conducts the Citizens Police Academy twice a year. Classes are limited to 20 to 25 students. A waiting list will be maintained once the class is full.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Will the Citizens Police Academy certify me to become a police officer? 
  No. The Citizens Police Academy is an informative program only, and it does not qualify anyone to become a police officer. 
  
  
• Who can attend the Citizens Police Academy? 
  Participants must be at least 18 years of age and live, work or volunteer in Cleburne. A background check is required.
  
  
• When will the next session of the Citizens Police Academy begin? 
  The next session of the Citizens Police Academy will be scheduled when there are a sufficient number of applicants.
  
  
• Where will the classes be held? 
  Class location will change based on availability of facilities, but attendees will be kept informed about where the academy will be held each week.
  
  
• Where can I obtain an application for the Citizens Police Academy?Complete and submit an online application here.
  
  
• Who can I contact for more information regarding the Citizens Police Academy? 
  For more information regarding the Citizen Police Academy please contact: Officer Kerri Abbott (817)556-8815.
  
  
• How long will the Citizens Police Academy last? 
  The Citizens Police Academy will last 10 weeks.