Citizens' Police Academy

FALL CITIZENS' ACADEMY BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

What is a Citizens' Academy?
The Citizens' Police Academy is your opportunity to learn more about how the Mitchell Police Department operates.  The Citizens' Police Academy is a group of Mitchell area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their police department operates and the policing challenges our community faces.  Participants in each session commit to meeting for three hours one night per week, for 12 weeks, to learn about each aspect of the department.

What is the purpose of the Academy?
The purpose of the Mitchell Police Citizens' Academy is to develop positive relations between the police and community through education.  The goals are to create a growing group of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential of influencing the public opinions about police practices and services.  Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions.

Who instructs the Academy?
Instructors are officers and personnel from the department who speak on their areas of expertise, as well as specialized guest speakers.

How are participants selected?
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.  They must be a resident of the City of Mitchell, or a business owner in the area or otherwise have a vested interest in the community.  Participants will be chosen at the discretion of the Crime Prevention Unit and Chief of Police after backgrounds and references have been checked.

What subjects are covered?
- Recruit training
- Firearms Policies/Use of Force
- Patrol Division
- Search & Seizure/Laws of Arrest
- Department Tour
- Alcohol Task Force, DWI, and Drug Task Force
- Criminal Investigations
- Animal Enforcement
- Motor Vehicle Enforcement
- Communications Division
- Special Operations and Crime Prevention

What does it cost?
There is no cost to attend the Citizens Academy.

How do I apply?
Contact the Mitchell Police to pick up an application at 201 West 1st or call 995-8400 for more information. 

Another option is to download the Citizens' Academy Application and mail it to 201 West 1st, Mitchell, SD  57301 Attn: Sgt. Mike Koster.

Citizens Academy class size is limited to the first 20 approved applicants. The deadline is August 19, 2011.