Citizen Police Academy

The Citizen Police Academy, started in 2000, is a ten week program that educates interested citizens on services Watertown police officer’s provide to the community. The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy is to bring members of the community into our world and to educate them as to the role of and needs of the police department and an explanation of how and why we handle situations the way we do. This training is not designed to certify citizens to perform law enforcement services. Its purpose is to enhance community relations and provide citizens with insights on the criminal justice system. Citizens learn this through lecture and hands on activities including arrest procedures, defense tactics, firearms, emergency driving and evidence collection. The CPA recently finished its 18th session and has graduated over 370 citizens.

CPA PROGRAM APPLICATION
FALL SESSION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

The CPA Program application is a PDF document. You may  print it and then bring it in or mail it to:
Attention: Officer Schroeder
Watertown Police Department
106 Jones Street
Watertown, WI 53094

CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI (CPAA)
The CPA program has been so successful that the graduates have formed the Citizens Police Academy Alumni (CPAA). There are over 25 active alumni that work with the police department volunteering for various department programs; such as Lights and Sirens, the Children’s Fair, D.A.R.E. Graduation and the Bike Rodeo. The CPA Alumni have also organized fundraising events with the proceeds of these events going towards the purchase of department equipment and local issues in the Watertown community. The most recent contribution from the CPAA was money to the police and fire department for essential equipment.