Applications are now being accepted for the Yakima Police Department (YPD) Community Academy.
The 12-week academy will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm every Tuesday starting February 26th in the YPD Training Room, 207 South 3rd Street.
The academy, which is held in a classroom setting, is designed to give community members a chance to learn about law enforcement and to learn about YPD’s operations.
“It is our intent to provide residents with a better understanding of the job their police officers perform, and to share with them the situations their officers face every day,” said Interim Police Chief Gary Jones. “This academy provides community members and the Yakima Police Department an opportunity for long-term, meaningful communication, which is an important component of building trust.”
The Community Academy is free. Participants must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check.
The academy will cover a wide range of law enforcement activities including gang enforcement, traffic enforcement, YPD K-9 program, firearms, forensics, criminal investigations, YPD SWAT team and operational structure of the YPD. One optional Saturday class will be offered at the shooting range.
Applications are available at the Yakima Police Department or by contacting Community Services at (509) 575-6197 or ypdcs@yakimawa.gov