The academy is designed to give citizens an overview of our department's policies and procedures. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but the bi-weekly sessions are not designed to make the participant a police officer.

Police employees including patrol officers teach academy classes. Partner agency representatives teach certain subjects. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Police and staff members. They are encouraged to ask questions and express their concerns to police employees. The Suffolk Police Department hopes there will be a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement's role in the community through the education provided by the Citizen Police Academy.