CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY
The Citizens Police Academy is a Program of Citizens and Law
Enforcement Officers Working Together to Make Columbia a Better and
Safer Place to Live and Work! The Citizens Police Academy,
conducted by the Columbia Police Department, is a free ten evening
course designed to familiarize citizens with various aspects of
community law enforcement. The Academy focuses on administrative
philosophy, internal policies and guiding principles of law and ethical
conduct governing the delivery of police services in our community
 A shortened version of the basic training presented to new police
officers, the Academy curriculum retains all of the core elements
essential for citizens to gain a better understanding of police
operations. As a result of participation, citizens are able to make
more informed judgments about the Department and its daily operations,
the Department gains a better understanding of the views and concerns
of the community, and an enhanced relationship between the citizens and
their police department is achieved.
The curriculum includes 30 hours of classroom instruction,
speakers and demonstrations. Participants are also eligible to
participate in electives during the course. The electives include a
ride-along with officers, which offer observation of police work under
actual working conditions with an officer. Participants receive a
certificate upon completion of the course.
The Academy is conducted two times a year based on need. For
further information, contact the CPD Training Unit at (803) 255-8925 or
go the website at www.columbiapd.com/cpaaCourse Description
This course of instruction has been designed to familiarize citizens
with the administrative philosophy, internal policies, and guiding
principles of law and ethical conduct governing the deliver of police
services within out community.
The Citizen Academy curriculum is a substantially shortened
version of the basic training curriculum presented to new police
officers as a part of their pre-service education and training.
Although shortened, the Citizen Academy curriculum retains the core
elements of basic police officer training believed to be essential for
citizens who wish to gain a better understanding of police officers and
police operations.
This program will provide (30) hours of scheduled classroom
instruction. The primary objectives of the Citizen Police Academy
apply to both citizen and the Police Department. The objectives are as
follows:
- As a result of participation, the citizen will be able to make more
informed judgments about the Police Department and its daily
operations.
- The Police Department will become more aware of the feelings and concerns of the community.
- A more harmonious climate for relationships between citizens and police personnel will be achieved.
Additionally we have added four hands on electives that allow the
student to participate in live training exercises such as Emergency
Vehicle Operations and Firearms Safety classes.
The Alumni Association
The Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is a voluntary
organization of interested Academy graduates who join to promote and
improve community relations, provide continuing education, increase
community involvement, and assist and support the Columbia Police
Department and other law enforcement agencies. You can visit the alumni
association's website at www.columbiapd.com/cpaa/Alumni.htm
The Alumni Association is a dynamic organization involved in a
variety of activities, including assisting the Department at special
events and promoting on-going group and individual projects that
benefit the community.
This growing organization of citizens has ideas and plans for the
future, and welcomes participation in whatever roles the time and
interests of Academy graduates permit.
The Alumni Association is strongly supported by Academy founder
Chief Charles Austin and his staff, who are equally committed to the
enhanced community involvement of our citizens.
The Association's general membership meetings are held monthly
(except July). For Information about the Alumni Association, contact
the CPD Training Unit at (803) 255-8925. | 
