Office of the Sheriff

Description of the Academy 

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is an eleven (11) week program that meets once a week on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Citizens Police Academy allows citizens of Kalamazoo County to become more educated on Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office procedures and the pressures associated within law enforcement. We seek and invite a diverse group of people that either live in or work in Kalamazoo County to apply. Requirements include that you must be at least 21 years of age, have no felony convictions, and have no misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years. There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy has been established to continue the positive movement in the relationships between the citizens of Kalamazoo County and their Sheriff’s Office.  The goal is to develop and enhance citizen awareness and understanding of the police role in the community.  Through this growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens the challenges, practices, and myths about law enforcement will be brought into focus.  Through these cooperative efforts all involved will be able to make Kalamazoo County an even greater place to live and work.

Citizen Police Academy members are given a realistic view of the Department.

Topics presented include:

The academy meets once a week at the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office.

Presentations consist of lectures, demonstrations, videos, computer presentations, and "hands on" participation. Each participant is given the opportunity to ride with an officer for one shift.

Who Can Apply?

For each academy, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office seeks a diverse group of participants. All participants must:

• Live or work in the Kalamazoo County
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have NO prior felony convictions
• Have NO misdemeanor convictions within the last three years

How to Obtain an Application

For more information on the Citizen's Police Academy and the selection process, please call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office at 269-383-8725 or email Lt Jeff Baker at jmbake@kalcounty.com

Download and print the application by clicking here.

You will be notified if you are selected to participate. The classes are limited to 25 attendees and will be filled in the order we receive completed applications from qualified candidates.