The first session of the CommUNITY Police Academy will provide participants with an overview of the Creedmoor Police Department. Policies and procedures will be discussed to gain a better understanding of police operations.  Students will also have an opportunity to meet the Police Department management team.  This session will also focus on the roles played by other criminal justice organizations outside the police department, as well as how those entities work hand in hand with the police department in the pursuit of justice.  Citizens will also learn about a variety of services available to them through different criminal justice organizations

This course includes a discussion of the three sources of law, comparing and contrasting reasonable suspicion and probable cause, and comparing and contrasting the terms “voluntary contact”, “investigative detention”, and “arrest.”  Students will learn about the types of searches an officer may conduct without a search warrant, the legal concepts of custody, interview and interrogation as they apply to Miranda rights, and the difference between criminal offenses and civil matters.  Students will also discuss elements of common crimes.  This course will discuss juvenile law and how the School Resource Officer (SRO) serves as comprehensive resource in the schools they are assigned to provide coverage.

During this block, students will receive a general overview of different scenarios investigators are faced at crime scenes.  Participants will be instructed on the dangers of contamination, methods of properly documenting scenes and collecting evidence.  Participants will get to take part in practical exercises. 

As with any city, Creedmoor experiences its share of drug and gang related crime.  Since the use and distribution of illegal narcotics is often the root of many other crimes, and because gangs and drugs generally go hand-in-hand, enforcement is a major priority for the Creedmoor Police Department.  In this session, the class will discuss some of the strategies and resources officers utilize to suppress and combat this type of criminal activity.  Participants will also be provided with information that will allow them to join with police in recognizing and reporting gang / drug related crimes to the police.  Citizens will also be provided with useful information they can share with others seeking to overcome drug addiction or gang involvement.  Furthermore, this session provides class members with a chance to ask questions of K-9 officers who will be on hand to explain police canine operations and conduct demonstrations.

Another inherently dangerous task performed by police officers is traffic stops and the subsequent interaction with drivers and passengers.  In this block of instruction, class members will be presented with basic information pertaining to the actual stop of the vehicle, the environmental dangers faced by the officer, and some procedures for conducting records checks associated with the encounter.  Participants will also have an opportunity to conduct mock traffic stops during a practical exercise, and learn what to do if they are stopped by a law enforcement officer. 

A few of the questions answered in this session include: How often must Creedmoor police officers resort to force to affect an arrest?  How do we ensure officers use only the amount of force necessary?  What weapons are issued to and utilized by Creedmoor Police Officers?  You will also learn how officers are trained in the use of force and how difficult decisions regarding the use of force are made.  A portion of this session will be “hands-on”, and will provide participants with the chance to interact with “suspect” role players in a variety of practical exercises.  The session will include exercises involving the implementation of a variety of force options.  During this practical exercise session, the class will have the opportunity to revisit the issue of use-of-force as it pertains to deadly encounters.  With the use of actual duty gear and service weapons, participants will be exposed to demonstrations and practical exercises that address weapon grip, draw, presentation, sight alignment, trigger manipulation, breathing and much more.   

The final session of the Creedmoor CommUNITY Police Academy is a summation of how participants can work with police to create a safer community.  Instructors will discuss some commonsense strategies for preventing crime before it is committed, and students will be provided with some suggestions on better securing themselves and their property from criminal activity.  Citizens will learn more about our commUNITY outreach programs and events.

Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate  recognizing their participation and partnership with the agency with a Graduation Ceremony.