Citizen Police Academy

The Citizen Police Academy is a 10-week program designed to provide Gilroy residents with an inside look at the Gilroy Police Department. The goal is to promote a better understanding and partnership between the Department and the Community. Participants will meet Police Personnel and experience some of the duties these officers have. After completion of the program, participants may wish to stay involved with the Department as volunteers.

During the 10 weeks, Academy participants will receive information in a variety of interesting topics, including: Criminal Law, Patrol Procedures, Crime Prevention, Accident Investigation, Narcotic Enforcement, Gang Intervention, Investigations, K-9 and Mounted Units, and Firearms Safety. The classes are taught by Gilroy Police Officers who have taken a genuine interest in teaching the community about their Law Enforcement profession. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the City of Gilroy Chief of Police and department staff. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and express their concerns. The Gilroy Police Department hopes the academy will create a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement’s role in the community.

The participants will attend a three-hour class each Tuesday for 10 weeks. Classes are conducted during the evening and light refreshments are provided. In addition to the 10 weekly sessions, participants are required to go on a ride-along with a Patrol Officer. Participants will also be taken to the firearms range where they will receive instruction and hands-on experience with Department issued weapons. Upon completion of the Citizen Police Academy, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the jobs and duties of the Gilroy Police Officers and many of the difficulties and complexities of working in the Law Enforcement field. To deepen their newly formed partnership with the Gilroy Police Department, graduates from the Citizen Police Academy are invited to participate in a volunteer program.

Students completing the Citizen Police Academy will be permitted to invite their families to a graduation ceremony where the participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Chief of Police.

The Citizen Police Academy was not developed with the intent of creating a "quasi-cop." The intent is to create a partnership between the community and the Gilroy Police Department. With a commitment to openness and truthfulness, members of the community will learn that the police department’s intent is to promote advocacy rather than an adversarial feeling amongst the community.

Creating a partnership between the police department and the community takes more than just sitting in a room being talked to by police officers; it requires commitment, cooperation, and communication. Its foundation is based on openness, trust and a sincere desire to value mutual interest and concerns of both the police officers and the community. Educating the public on the policies and procedures of the Gilroy Police Department is essential to the success of the positive relationship with the community. In turn, the members of the department want to learn more from you, the community. The fostering of direct, two-way communication is essential to increasing both the public’s perception of the police department’s awareness of what is needed in the community.

Participant Requirements
Potential candidates for the City of Gilroy Citizen Police Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Live or work within the City limits
• NO prior FELONY convictions.
• NO MISDEMEANOR arrests within ONE YEAR of applying.
• Final selection will be made by the Police Chief

If you are interested, please contact CSO Maribel Gutierrez at 846-0523, Gilroy Police Department Citizen Police Academy Coordinator.