Citizen's Police Academy

Citizen's Police Academy
Citizen's Police Academy of Temple is from August 1st, 2024 - October 3rd, 2024.

The Citizen's Police Academy of Temple (CPAT) is a 25-hour course sponsored by the Temple Police Department. Its goal is to give the community a better understanding of police operations and procedures.

Citizens attending the academy will receive training in numerous topics within the criminal justice field, aimed at giving them a basic understanding and familiarity of the "how's and why's" of police work.

The academy will meet Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9 p.m., for 10 weeks, with one Saturday session. These sessions start in the fall and are open to the general public. Special sessions may be set up for groups by contacting the Citizens' Police Academy Coordinator or 254-298-5911. The Saturday session is optional, and attendance is not required for successful completion of the academy. They are generally scheduled to start at 8 a.m., so the firearm familiarization and training can be conducted in daylight at the Police Range. The first night of instruction includes a tour of the Temple Police Department and the jail facilities. Included with the academy is the opportunity for students to ride for a shift with a patrol officer.

Topics

Some of the topics that are covered in the lecture and hands-on exercises include: 

  • Patrol Procedures
  • Traffic & High Risk Stops
  • Texas Penal Code
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Vehicle Accident Investigation
  • Narcotics Enforcement
  • S.W.A.T.
  • Firearms Training
  • DWI
  • Family Violence 

There are also classes to make CPAT students aware of many of the programs offered by the Temple Police Department, such as: 
  • COPS
  • Citizen's Police Academy of Temple Alumni Association 


Requirements

Each applicant to the Academy must meet the following requirements:
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Complete and return the Academy application
  • Agree to follow the academy rules and regulations as stated on the application    
Application

You may download and mail in the application or apply online below: 

You can get the scheduled dates for each Academy by:  visiting this site; or contacting the Citizen's Police Academy Coordinator at (254) 298-5911. Press releases are made available on the city website and to the local newspapers and/or television stations prior to each academy.