DUTY • HONOR • SERVICE
 

Champaign County
Citizen Police Academy

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The Citizen Police Academy is an educational and informative program that allows citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that face law enforcement efforts in Champaign County. 

The goals of the citizen academy are:
  • To provide stronger citizen/police relationships
  • To enhance lines of communication
  • The reduction of crime in our community 

In cooperation with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Illinois Police Department, the Urbana Police Department, the Champaign Police Department, the Rantoul Police Department, the Mahomet Police Department, and District 10 of the Illinois State Police, the Police Training Institute is offering the Champaign County Citizen Police Academy.. 

The goal of the Citizen Police Academy is not only to help local residents better understand police work in their community, but to develop stronger ties between our community and police agencies in an effort to better address crime issues.

Community Based Policing is an important and vital aspect of crime control in any community. It is through community cooperation and planning that we can best ensure quality police services in an organized and effective crime prevention effort. 

The Citizen Police Academy is yet another mechanism for local police departments to inform the public of what they do, improve communication, and obtain citizen input, assistance, and support throughout the county.

The Citizen Police Academy is held once a year and consists of twelve, three-hour blocks of instruction conducted over a ten week period. Classes are being held at the Police Training Institute on Thursday evenings from 6:30PM until 9:30PM. 

Each evening of instruction has been designed to inform participants of various crime problems. Possible solutions to these problems and the police role in Champaign County will be discussed.

The instruction provided at the Citizen Police Academy will include topics relevant to the Champaign County crime problem, such as: community based policing, drugs, gangs, DARE, domestic violence, DUI enforcement, citizen police contacts, the Use of Force Model and use of force, firearms safety and the law, use of vehicle driver training simulators, a tour of the Champaign County Jail and a patrol ride-along with your local department.

The instruction will be provided by officers and trainers from each of the participating agencies. 

Participants will be asked to help identify problems and solutions to those crime issues affecting our community. Graduates of the program will receive a certificate of completion. Graduates can become members of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association.

Inquiries regarding the Champaign County Citizen Police Academy should be addressed to your local police chief or sheriff. Information about the program may also be obtained from :

Evelyn Wilhelm
University of Illinois
Police Training Institute
1004 South Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6104

Phone: 244-9589
FAX: 333-7800

Topics of Instruction:

Bomb Disposal Unit

Champaign County Crime Problem

Community Based Policing

Crime Stoppers

Cultural Diversity

Domestic Violence & The Police Response

Drugs and Gangs

DUI Enforcement

Firearms Safety

Group Discussion

How Not to be a Victim

K-9 Demo

Orientation to Law Enforcement

Police-Citizen Contact

Racial Profiling

Tour of the Champaign County Jail

Tour of PTI

Use of Force
Benefits of the Citizen Police Academy to Champaign County Residents:
  • Citizens and police officers have an opportunity to work closely together.
    Lines of communication between community residents and their police are enhanced.
  • Citizens gain the ability to make informed decisions regarding controversial issues faced by their communities.
  • Citizen involvement with their local community and police departments is enhanced.
  • Citizens gain a better understanding of how their police departments work and develop ways in which the community can better reduce crime.

Citizens become aware of the problems facing their police departments. The academy will be held at the Police Training Institute, 1004 South Fourth Street, Champaign.

Police Training Institute
1004 S. Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6104
Phone: (217)333-2337
Fax: (217)333-7800
E-Mail: pti@uiuc.edu


University of Illinois Police Training Institute