Academy Information

Westerville Citizen Police Academy

The Westerville Citizen Police Academy (WCPA) is a community education program of the Westerville Division of Police (WDP). The purpose of the academy is to increase citizen awareness of the day-to-day operation of the WDP by providing instruction on topics relative to the role of the police officer in the Westerville community.

Who Are the Instructors?

Veteran police officers and certified police instructors conduct all academy classes. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to a traditional police academy but not as stringent as the professional training for actual law enforcement officers.

What Will I Learn?

Instruction includes such topics as:

  • Criminal Law
  • Search & Seizure
  • Drug Investigation
  • Traffic Law & Enforcement
  • Interrogation Techniques
  • Laws of Arrest
  • Ohio Revised Code
  • Criminal Justice System
  • Patrol Operations
  • Juvenile Law
  • Crime Prevention
  • Community Action
  • Use of Force
  • Property Crimes
  • Traffic Stop Simulation
  • Firearms Shoot-No Shoot Exercise
  • SWAT Demostration

Who Can Participate?

Citizens who live or work in the city of Westerville are be given first preference, but anyone who has an interest in law enforcement is eligible to apply.

The Westerville Division of Police runs a background check on each applicant and reserves the right to reject people with a criminal history.

What Is the Cost?

FREE! The only cost to participants is their time. Students are required to attend at least 9 of the 13 classes to graduate.

Where Are Academy Classes Held?

Academy classes are held at the Westerville Division of Police headquarters Training Room located at 229 Huber Village Blvd. in Westerville, Ohio 43081.

When Are Academy Classes Available?

Classes are offered from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. for 13 consecutive weeks beginning in February and August.

How Do I Apply?

To apply, simply click on this link to go to the Westerville Citizen’s Police Academy page.  You may sign up on-line or by printing out a form at the bottom of that page.

http://www.westerville.org/services/police/community-services/citizen-police-academy