Participants who are selected for the program are required to attend 14 of the 18 classes to be eligible for graduation. Some of the topics covered include: firearm safety, Maryland traffic law, investigating major crimes, drug identification, scams and fraud, prostitution, forensics/crime lab, physical/sexual child abuse, a canine demonstration, DUI/underage drinking, and the procedures of the Emergency Response Team. Academy members also have the option of touring the Montgomery County Detention Center and participating in a ride-along with a police officer.
The first Citizen Academy was held in January of 1994. It was developed as an extension of the Department’s community policing efforts. Community members who went through the program came out with a greater awareness of the functions of the police department, the various roles of police officers, and a better understanding of why and how officers do their jobs.
FURTHER QUESTIONS:
- Please contact 240-773-6900.
The Citizen Academy webpage
RLI
