CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY
Citizens
On Patrol is a generic name used to describe Law Enforcement Volunteers. All
citizens participating are screened, and trained by local law enforcement.
They can then patrol the community acting as "Eyes and Ears" for Law
Enforcement. They assist the Law Enforcement agencies with administrative
work, can assist with calls for service, allowing the officers to spend more
time on patrol and focus on their primary mission.
The
Citizens On Patrol are utilized to write parking tickets, perform traffic
control at accident scenes, assist with special events, crime scene security
and processing, in addition to focused patrols in high crime areas for
deterrence. By patrolling the community in 4-8 hour shifts they become more
familiar with the neighborhoods, they can then detect suspicious activity
and report it to the proper authorities
It is not
unusual for C.O.P.'s to observe crimes in progress, but again they only
observe and report. Citizen Patrol Volunteers are not authorized to carry
weapons and are encouraged to avoid physical contact. The C.O.P.'s greatest
weapon is their established bond with the Palatka Police Department and
their ability to communicate directly with the officers via radio or
cellular phones.
The
program is in it’s third year, and has been modified to meet the needs of
the Palatka Police Department and the community. The classes are from 6:30pm
to 9:30pm every Thursday night for twelve weeks. All classes are held at the
Palatka Police Department. You must attend at least nine out of the 12
classes in order to receive a certificate of completion.
Topics to be covered are as follows:
Week 1: Introduction to the Police
Perspective
Meet the
Administration
Chief of Police Presentation
Tour of the Building
Week 2:
Background Investigations
Internal Affairs
Complaint Procedures
Week 3: Patrol Division
Week 4: Domestic Violence
Search & Seizure
Miranda Rights
Victim Advocacy
Week 5: Defensive Tactics
Week 6: CRT (Community Response
Team)
Week 7: Evidence
Crime Scene
Reenactment
Week 8: Crime Prevention
Internet Safety
R.a.d.KIDS Personal
Empowerment Safety Education
Week 9: Detective Division
Major Case Review
Week 10: K-9 Unit
& Animal Control
Week 11: Graduation
Our goal is to
build a solid volunteer foundation and to utilize our volunteers to assist
our officers, and civilian staff. We are currently working toward properly
implementing the program in the community, so that it may complement this
agency and the city.
Anyone interested in
participating in the Citizens Police Academy must print and complete the
forms below. All forms must be mailed or hand delivered one week prior to
the first class for screening purposes. All applicants will be contacted by
a department member.
Mail to: Palatka Police Department
Attention: Christeen Haney
110 North 11th Street
Palatka, Florida 32177
386-329-0110