The Riverside Police Department Citizen Academy, Spring Session will be held every Thursday night, beginning February 6, 2025 and continues through April, 17, 2025.
Registration will remain open until January 23, 2025 or until class has been filled, which ever comes first. Please follow our Social Media for updates on upcoming Teen and Citizen Academy's application openings.
The Riverside Police Department's Citizen Academy was established in 1994 with the goal of providing community members with an inside look behind the scenes how the department runs its day-to-day operation. In addition, the Citizen Academy provides an opportunity for community members to engage with department personnel. The 8/10-week course is designed to give citizens an overview of the department's function and operational methods. The course will provide an insight on how police personnel perform their duties.
The Citizens/Teen Academy is a program designed for citizens currently residing, working or going to school, in the City of Riverside. The Citizen/Teen Academy will educate citizens and hopefully inspire participation in police-community partnerships, promote open lines of communication, develop lasting relationships, and promote programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Public Education.
The Citizen/Teen Academy encourages involvement in community partnerships and volunteering. The Riverside Police Department offers a diverse selection of volunteer opportunities. Throughout the course, Department volunteers will share experiences and volunteer program information. Citizens interested in volunteering for the Police department must complete the Citizens Academy.
Sessions are conducted by police personnel in a classroom setting and do not involve physical training (with the exception of the Teen Academy). Citizen Academy sessions occur in the Spring and Fall, while the Teen Academy is during the Summer. Most classes will be held at the Magnolia Police Facility and run Thursday nights from 6PM-9PM.
The Riverside Police Department, in addition to the regular Citizen's Academy, offers a Summer Teen Academy. The Teen Academy is an 8-week course. This academy is similar of that of the Adult Citizen Academy but also introduces physical training in the curriculum.
This academy is NOT the Basic Peace Officer Academy.
Course Curriculum Information Includes:
Personnel and Training Division
Use of Force Options
Patrol and Traffic Operations
Media Unit
Technical Services Unit
Range
K-9 Team
Metro Division (SWAT)
Aviation Unit
Forensics Services Bureau
Dispatch Communications
Volunteer Program and Opportunities
Eligibility Requirements:
Potential candidates for the Citizens/Teen Academy must meet the following criteria:
- 14 - 17 years of age at the time of application for the Teen Academy
- 18 years of age or older at the time of application for the Citizen Academy
- Must reside, work, or attend school within the City of Riverside.
- No felony arrests
- Misdemeanor arrests will be viewed on a case by case basis
- No infractions within the last 5 years of issued date
- Each candidate will have an informal background check conducted by the Police Department
The Riverside Police Department reserves the right to deny any applications. For more information about the Citizen Academy please contact CSO A. Guerra at (951) 826-5147 and for the Teen Academy please contact PPC. J. Pauli at (951) 826-5235