Applications are now being accepted for the Dalton Police Department’s popular Citizens Police Academy program. The agency’s 27th academy will start Feb. 26, 2019.
The class will meet on Tuesday nights from 6-9 p.m. for 10 weeks (Feb. 26–April 30) at the Dalton Police Services Center. A graduation banquet will be held the following week on May 7. During the course of the program, participants will get an up-close look at every aspect of the police department’s operation.
In addition to classroom sessions covering each of the department’s three divisions and each specialized unit within the agency, the course also gives participants chances to experience policing in the real world. Among the real-world experiences offered by the program is a chance to spend one night at the county firing range to test fire all of the department’s weapons and a night of real-life experience on our simulator. The academy also provides each participant a chance to ride along with a patrol officer for a shift to further understand the daily walk of a police officer.
Each session of the academy is taught by members of the Dalton Police Department and also subject matter experts from other agencies. While you won’t be an officer at the end of the ten-week program, you’ll know a lot more about police work than you ever thought possible.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old. Background checks will be performed on all applicants. Please note that completion of the course does not certify a participant as a police officer. To apply, simply pick up an application form at the Police Services Center at 301 Jones Street. You can also apply online at daltonpd.com/academy2019 or contact Sergeant Ricky Long at rlong@cityofdalton-ga.gov.