Citizens' Police Academy

The Howard County Police Department offers county residents the opportunity to participate in the Citizens' Police Academy program. This interactive 11 week course gives participants an inside look into the department's day-to-day operations and provides an understanding of what it is really like to be a police officer in Howard County. Given in a real police academy setting classes are taught by certified police training instructors. Participants will experience:

• Tours of the Police Department, Crime Lab and the 911 Call Center;
• Courses on Traffic Laws & Enforcement, Defensive Tactics, Use of Force, Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security & Gang Issues;
• Presentations by the Police Department’s K-9 Unit and Tactical Unit;
• Interactive Firearms Training on a Firearms Simulator, Police Pursuit & Driver Training, and a Police Officer Ride-Along,

The Citizen's Police Academy is designed to improve relationships and understanding between police and the community they serve.

The Howard County Police Department is committed to community policing and hopes that you will consider joining the next Citizens' Police Academy.