Citizen’s Police Academy
The Elmhurst Police Department provides residents a behind-the-scenes look at local law enforcement
This spring in Elmhurst, CPA has had a meaning completely unrelated to Tax Day. It stands for the Citizen’s Police Academy, which is a 12-week program offered twice annually to “pull back the curtain” on law enforcement practices – in general and specific to their local station’s operations, explained Elmhurst Police Department Deputy Chief Brett Kaczorowski.
The CPA originally started in 2001 as an eight-week program but has evolved over the years. Kaczorowski shared that the current model for the program involves numerous informational as well as hands-on experiences for those enrolled.
“It’s great to have more sets of eyes and ears in the community.”
– DEPUTY CHIEF BRETT KACZOROWSKI,
ABOUT CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATES
Each weekly session starts with a 10-minute overview of what has transpired within the community involving the police. Individuals participating in the CPA get to view videos from officers’ body-worn and dash cameras to get a tangible sense of “what goes on while they’re sleeping at night,” Kaczorowski said.
After the week in review, each session’s agenda has a specific focus, such as the police training and hiring processes, laws of arrest, search and seizure, evidence and crime scene analysis, crisis negotiation, and traffic stops. There are also classes about other organizations with which the Elmhurst Police work closely, including the local Fire Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Citizens in the program get introduced to the Elmhurst Police Department’s K-9 Unit and learn about drug recognition, DUIs, and firearms training, including a visit to the gun range on May 7.
Each weekly focus is taught by a subject matter expert from the Elmhurst Police Department. “While the classes are three hours long (6:30-9:30 p.m.), it’s fun because every presenter we have is so passionate about their topic,” Kaczorowski explained. “A lot of times the presenters will stick around until 10:00 or 10:30 just talking [with CPA participants] about their craft.”
A highlight of the program is the opportunity for residents and employees of Elmhurst enrolled in the CPA to do a ride-along with on-duty officers. This in-vehicle experience – in addition to the trip to the gun range and role-playing activities during certain CPA sessions – gives students insight into the “split second decision-making process” police officers go through in their line of duty, Kaczorowski said.
With the exception of when CPA students are out in the field with officers, the program meets at the Elmhurst Police Station, typically in the training room located in the station’s basement. In the 12 weeks the program runs, students get a comprehensive look into law enforcement policies and practices. “We can’t cover everything,” Kaczorowski said, “but we try to give a really good look into the Elmhurst Police Department and give a good foundation about what we’re about and have to offer.”
Citizen’s Police Academy students learn about testing for gunshot residue.
This spring’s CPA has been run by Victor Valdez, a detective within the Elmhurst Police Department. Kaczorowski explained that offering the program is mutually beneficial for the police officers involved and the residents and employees of the Elmhurst community who participate in the program.
“It’s a big growth opportunity for the class coordinators,” Kaczorowski explained. “It allows these officers to get exposed to and get to know those in the community, and it refreshes them.”
As for the CPA students, they graduate with increased knowledge about law enforcement and confidence in the “professionalism, passion, and competence” of their local police department, Kaczorowski said.
Former CPA participants also “become better witnesses,” Kaczorowski added. Once they understand crime trends, they tend to notice and report suspicious activity they observe. “It’s great to have more sets of eyes and ears in the community,” Kaczorowski said.
If you missed the chance to register for this spring’s Citizen’s Police Academy program, there’s good news. The Elmhurst Police will offer the program again this fall. Each session can accommodate up to 25 participants and is free of charge. Participants are expected to be age 21 or over, but exceptions have been made for Elmhurst University students interested in criminal justice but under age 21.
A crime scene analysis expert, Sergeant Brendan Bruckner from the Elmhurst Police Department, leads the CPA class on how to take fingerprints from a soda can.
