Police Citizens Academy

During this past semester, ODU PD held its first ever Police Citizens Academy. The ODU PD’s Police Citizens Academy offered an immersive and enlightening opportunity for community members to gain insights into law enforcement operations. This engaging program provides participants with an in-depth understanding of police procedures, tactics, and the day-to-day responsibilities of law enforcement officers. Through a series of interactive sessions, attendees delve into various aspects of police work, such as patrol operations, criminal investigations, and emergency response protocols. Moreover, the academy fosters open dialogue and constructive engagement between the ODU PD and the community, allowing participants to voice concerns, ask questions, and build meaningful connections with the officers. By offering this academy, the ODU PD aims to strengthen trust, transparency, and collaboration between law enforcement and the community, promoting a safer and more informed campus environment.

The goals of the Citizens Police Academy can be identified as:

1. Enhance Understanding: The primary goal is to deepen participants’ understanding of law enforcement operations, procedures, and the challenges officers face in their daily roles. This includes providing insights into patrol operations, investigations, and emergency response protocols.
2. Build Relationships: Foster positive relationships and trust between law enforcement and the community by creating an open forum for dialogue and engagement. Encourage participants to interact with officers, ask questions, and share perspectives to bridge the gap between the police and the public.
3. Promote Transparency: Increase transparency by offering firsthand experiences and behind-the-scenes access to police work. Through interactive sessions, showcase the decision-making processes, ethical considerations, and the intricacies involved in maintaining public safety.
4. Empower Community Involvement: Empower participants with knowledge and skills to play a more active role in community safety. Offer insights into crime prevention strategies, neighborhood watch programs, and how citizens can collaborate with law enforcement effectively.
5. Create Ambassadors: Cultivate ambassadors within the community who can share their learnings and experiences with others. Encourage graduates of the academy to serve as advocates for positive police-community relationships, promoting awareness and understanding in their social circles.

At the completion of the academy, ODU PD held a banquet in which we each were awarded our certificate of completion. In the image below, I am accepting my certificate from the Chief of Police at ODU, R. Garrett Shelton.

Looking back, completing the ODU PD’s inaugural Citizens Academy has been an illuminating and empowering experience. Delving into the intricacies of law enforcement, I gained invaluable insights into the daily operations and challenges faced by the dedicated officers serving our community. The academy provided a unique platform for open dialogue and engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in ensuring public safety. The interactive sessions, ranging from patrol procedures to emergency response protocols, not only expanded my knowledge but also cultivated a newfound appreciation for the dedication and professionalism of the ODU PD team. Additionally, this experience has inspired me to play a more active role in promoting positive police-community relationships and becoming an advocate for fostering a safer and more connected campus environment.