Citizen Police Academy

Community involvement is the key to a successful Academy program. Citizen Police Academy graduates will not become police officers; however, they will have a greater understanding of law enforcement and a community partnership will be established.

Fill out the application here.

The next cohort of West County Citizen Police Academy (CPA) sessions will begin early March 2024, and meet Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM at local police departments through early May.  Because of the limited class size, it is best to apply early.  Open Applications are accepted now from Olivette residents or business owners/managers.  You may apply at any time and the Olivette Community Engagement Officer will contact you by phone or email with further details.

PDF Applications are also available by clicking here, or by contacting the Olivette Police Department (In order to use the fillable form, it is best to use Internet Explorer or Chrome). If applications are turned in outside of our open recruitment, the application will be held until sign-up is active again; an officer will contact you at such time to determine your current interest. 

 For more information, please contact Community Engagement Officer Madison Coates (314)-983-5238 or mcoates@olivettemo.com 

About the Program

The Citizen Police Academy is an educational citizen-involved activity designed by the Olivette, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Frontenac, Ladue, and Town & Country Police Departments. The goal is to promote understanding between the community's residents and its police officers regarding their respective needs and problems. By promoting this relationship, citizens and police can work together to make the community a safer place to live.

The Citizen Police Academy is a unique opportunity to educate the public about the criminal justice system and provide insight into everyday police work. The Academy is designed to give the public a chance to observe and understand law enforcement through a hands-on approach. Entrance into this program is by application only. A record check will be completed on each applicant.

Graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will have the opportunity to attend the Advanced Citizens Academy.


Curriculum and Learning Outcomes


Several areas of police training will be covered during the 9-week Academy.  Role-playing scenarios will be used to reinforce the learning process and give participants a chance to experience some "real life" police situations.  Finally, applicants will be afforded the opportunity to ride along with police officers to observe firsthand the daily challenges faced by police officers.


Some of the topics covered will include: 

  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Use of Force
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Traffic Enforcement
  • DWI Investigations
  • Specialized Equipment & Weapon Safety


Attention Graduates of the West County Citizen’s Police Academy!!

Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Des Peres, Frontenac, Kirkwood, Ladue, Olivette, and Town and Country Police Departments will once again be hosting the Advanced Citizens Police Academy. 

The Advanced Academy will give graduates of the Citizen Police Academy the opportunity to learn even more about law enforcement with behind-the-scenes tours and presentations . The goal of the Advanced Academy is to continue to promote understanding between the residents and its police officers regarding their respective needs and problems. By promoting this relationship citizens and police can work together to make the entire community a safer place to live.

Based on availability, topics covered in the Advanced Citizen Police Academy may include but are not limited to tours and/or presentations from:

  • Metro Air and Support
  • St Louis County Swat
  • St Louis County Bomb and Arson
  • St Louis Area CIT Council
  • Crime Lab
  • Major Case Squad of Greater St Louis


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