NCJ Number
162898
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 265-271
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the features and purposes of the Citizen Police Academy (CPA), the basic organization of various CPA's around the country, and the effectiveness of CPA's.
Abstract
The purpose of a CPA is to "increase better understanding between citizens and police through education" (Ferguson, 1985). CPA participants learn about police department operations, become more supportive of police work, and develop an increased awareness and appreciation of the job of the police. The academy course creates a group of community residents who are well- informed and knowledgeable about police procedures and who are in a position to influence public opinion toward the police. In addition, the police department, through interaction with the academy participants, develops a better understanding of citizens' concerns and their perceptions of the police. This article considers the history of CPA's, its organization and curriculum, and its effectiveness. Regarding the effectiveness of CPA's, the Metro-Dade Police Department (Florida) reported in its 1995 CPA evaluation that "the CPA has been extremely successful in educating citizens and, in most cases, transforms negative attitudes into ones of appreciation and understanding. The CPA is a positive program that actually meets its objective." Evaluations of other CPA's have yielded similar conclusions. 2 notes and 9 references