United States Park Police Citizens’ Academy

Ever want to learn more about how your neighborhood, specifically Meridian Hill Park, is patrolled?  This is a great chance to get more involved and gain insight into an agency that protects our neighborhood and its parks.

In a release from the Park Police:

The United States Park Police will present a Citizens’ Academy in Spring 2011. The classes are planned for Wednesday evenings, March 2, 2011 through April 5, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the United States Park Police Anacostia Operations facility. Investigators, trainers, station commanders and officers will explain the United States Park Police organization, police procedures, and what it is like to be a police officer at the United States Park Police Citizens’ Academy. 
This 6-week course is offered by the Training Branch of the United States Park Police and is open to those who: 
• are U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older, 
• Live or work in the National Capital Region; or are the parents, partners, or spouses of employees of the United States Park Police, 
• Pass a background check. We will initiate a criminal history check through NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and applicants may be rejected if they have a misdemeanor or felony conviction or evidence that the candidate has misrepresented, omitted, or falsified any information. 
Topics include Use of Force, Investigations, Special Forces operations, Radio Communications, Emergency Response, and much more. 
For any questions or for information on registering for the class, contact the United States Park Police Training Branch at 202-610-3525. 
The United States Park Police seeks to serve people from a wide variety of backgrounds when selecting participants in its Citizens’ Academy classes. It attempts to attract candidates of different ethnicities, professions, cultural backgrounds, orientations, age groups, and neighborhoods throughout the city so as to enrich class discussions and reach out to as many communities as possible. This academy will not offer the attendee reserve, auxillary or cadet officer status. Our purpose for this academy is to open the lines of communication, form stronger bonds and establish cognitive and cooperative relationships from the communities we serve. 
You must submit your application to reserve a place now. You will be contacted when the attendees have been selected. Apply early as there may be limited space in the class. 
Applications can be found on the Park Police website at www.nps.gov/uspp 
Click on the link to the Citizens Police Academy