The goal of the Kingsport Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy is to foster a better relationship between the community and the police department. We envision that graduates will gain an understanding of the operation of the police department and develop an awareness and appreciation of the various challenges and decisions faced every day by Kingsport police officers.  With each graduating class, the list of prospective goodwill ambassadors continues to grow.  Citizens’ Academy alumni have increased the public’s interest in the academy and our police department by the many positive comments they have made throughout the community.

       Following the graduation of 38 citizens in 2008, we have now conducted a total of 30 academies with over 475 graduates since the implementation of the program in 1993.  Graduates have included mayors, other members of city government, physicians, clergy, teachers, business owners, high school students, police explorers, family members of police officers, members of the media, as well as other citizens in general.  An additional benefit to the agency is the development of a pool of candidates for our volunteer program.  Invariable, the Citizens’ Academy generates an active interest in continued contact with the department.  Many of our students go on to volunteer extensively, and several have been hired as full-time employees.  The police department is looking forward to continuing this program.

Requirements for admission into the academy are established to maintain the quality of the program for the citizens of Kingsport.  Basic requirements include:

• A minimum age of 18
• A resident of Kingsport
• If not a city resident, place of employment is within the city limits
• Non-city residents will be considered on an individual case-by-case basis dependent upon space availability.

 

     All applicants must also undergo a background investigation.  Any felony convictions and certain misdemeanor convictions will most likely disqualify the applicant.  These also are handled on a case by case basis.

     The Citizens’ Academy is free and it is fun.  Classes meet one evening per week, for about 2 ½ hours, for approximately10 consecutive weeks, at the Justice Center.  The class forum involves lecture, demonstrations, audio-visual aids, and most importantly, hands-on participation.  Topics covered include:

• Communications and 911
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Vice and Narcotics Investigations
• Defensive Tactics and the Use of Force
• Police K-9 Apprehension, Article Search, Detection, Tracking, and Obedience
• Collision and D.U.I. Investigations
• Gangs: Their History and Activity in Our Area
• Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations
• Domestic Violence
• Building Search Tactics and Techniques
• Traffic Stops and Vehicle Approaches
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (The Bomb Squad)
• Vice Operations, Narcotics Investigations, and Criminal Patrol
• S.W.A.T.

 

       The Citizens’ Police Academy will by no means prepare you to become a police officer; however, it will give you a chance to walk a few steps in our shoes.  Our next class will be sometime in the spring of 2009.  The specific dates have yet to be determined, but we will announce that class in a general press release and specifically in the Kingsport Times News, on Charter Channel 16, and on our website when the date is finalized.

 

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