Citizens Police Academy
History
Citizen's Police Academies have been around for several years across the nation. The purpose was to give the general public a better idea of how officers do their job, why they do their job the way they do, and what the results are for doing that job. Most of the general public's knowledge of police work has come from watching a host of police television shows and movies. However, most crimes are not solved in a 30 to 60-minute timeframe. Chief Ross McCarty wanted to make the Citizen's Police Academy a priority of his police-community relations programs. The Urbandale Police Department held its first Citizen's Police Academy in January 2010. There were seven graduates who attended weekly meetings and training for 9 full weeks.
2026 Citizen's Police Academy
This year's Citizen Police Academy has been scheduled to start on February 26, 2026, and will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. through May 7, 2026 to include two Saturday morning classes in April (dates TBD) from 9:00am – noon).
Applications & Contact
If you would like to be considered for Citizens Police Academy please fill out the online Citizens Police Academy Application. For more information on the Citizens Police Academy contact Community Relations Officer Jenna Jensen at 515-331-6804 or by email.
Application Deadline for the 2026 Citizen's Police Academy: February 12, 2026.
Attendants
The Citizen's Police Academy is open to individuals who have reached the age of 18 and who are either a resident of the city of Urbandale, Clive, Windsor Heights or have a business connections within Urbandale, Clive or Windsor Heights.
Cost: Attending Citizen's Academy is free.
Time Commitment: There is a time commitment to participate in the academy. Classes are generally three hours long and are held once a week in the evening and two Saturday mornings. There are 12 classes held over 10 weeks.
Covered Topics
Topics include a wide array of experiences across the different divisions within the Police Department.
Patrol Operations
- Accident Investigation
- Bike Patrol
- Calls for Service (Response)
- Defensive Tactics
- K9 Operations
- Legal Instruction
- Patrol Tactics
- Reserve Police Officer Unit
- S.E.R.T (Suburban Emergency Response Team)
- Tobacco and Alcohol Compliance
- Traffic Enforcement and Control
- Trial Preparation
Criminal Investigation Division
- Crime Scene Management
- Cyber Crimes
- Financial Crimes
- Homicide Investigation
- Juvenile Crimes
- Property Crimes
- Person Crimes
- Narcotics / Vice
Support Services
- Community Relations
- Culture of Integrity
- Holding Facility Management
- Honor Guard
- Police Chaplain Program
- Press Information Officer (PIO)
- School Resource Officer (SRO)
- Abandoned Vehicles
- Application Process
- CALEA
- City Auction
- Critical Incidents
- Event Planning
- Office of Professional Standards (Internal Affairs)
- Records and Case Management
- Training
Continued Partnership
Citizen Police Academy Alumni assist the Police Department in a variety of event and volunteer opportunities including National Night Out events, Trunk or Treat, Shop With A Cop, etc. Alumni meet once a month among themselves to stay up to date with upcoming events and opportunities.
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Police Department
Physical Address
3740 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
EMAIL
NOTE: This email is not monitored 24/7. To report an issue or speak with an officer, call 515-222-3321.
For Emergencies Dial:
911
24-hr Non-Emergency Dispatch Numbers:
515-222-3321
515-222-3322
Administration and Records
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm:
515-278-3938