Community Police Academy – Youth Police Academy

Community Police Academy

The Saskatoon Police Service is pleased to announce that it will be hosting Class # 12 of the Community Police Academy beginning Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

The Community Police Academy is a 12 week course beginning Wednesday, September 15, 2010 with three hour sessions running subsequent Wednesday evenings from 7-10 p.m. until Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The sessions will be held in the classroom at the Saskatoon Police Service, 130 4th Avenue North Saskatoon. In addition there will be a ride-along option with a Patrol member and a sit-along in Detention or Communications units. A graduation ceremony will be held Wednesday, December 1 at a location to be announced.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. An informal record check will be performed by SPS staff prior to approval and 25 candidates will be selected. A large time commitment is necessary as candidates will be required to attend a minimum 10 of the 12 classroom sessions to officially graduate.

The application process for the September session is now closed.

If you have any questions, please contact the Community Police Academy Coordinator:

Constable Kathie Wiens
Northwest Division Community Liaison Officer
(306) 975-2296

The concept of a Community Police Academy originated in England in 1977 when the Devon and Cornwell Constabulary in Middlemoor, Exeter began the "Police Night School".  In 1985 the Orlando, Florida Police Department laid claim to the first North American "Citizens' Police Academy" while the Regina Police Service's Academy became a Canadian first. These police services, along with many others throughout the years, have enjoyed a great deal of success with the Community Police Academy.

The first Community Police Academy held in Saskatoon began February 6, 2002.  The graduates of Class #1 showed us that Saskatoon Citizens are very excited to learn more about their police service.

The people attending the Community Police Academy are members of the Saskatoon community from all walks of life.  Each class will have representation from a variety of Saskatoon community and business organizations, media, SPS volunteers and civilian staff, and the general public.

Objectives

The goal of the Academy is to give the candidates a better understanding of the Police Service through information and education.  It is hoped that this approach will develop more interactions between the participants and the police.  This falls in line with the objectives of the Community Police Academy, which are:

• To promote the Saskatoon Police Service with the citizens of Saskatoon.
• To provide information and education on the Saskatoon Police Service to the Saskatoon community.
• To provide feedback for problem solving by identifying concerns expressed by participants.
• To provide an ongoing forum for the community on the functioning of the Saskatoon Police Service on safety and crime concerns which will aid in problem solving and community policing.
• To provide orientation training to Saskatoon Police Service volunteers.  

Example of a Course Schedule

Youth Police Academy

The Saskatoon Police Service is pleased to announce that it will be holding its seventh Youth Police Academy.

Applications for the 2011 Youth Police Academy course will be accepted in September of 2010. All successful candidates will be contacted by mail. Classes begin January 5, 2011 and will be held from 7:30 - 9:30pm, Wednesday evenings until April 6, 2011. Participants are eligible if they attend a Saskatoon high school and are enrolled in either grade eleven or twelve.

For further information, please contact Constable Dawn Epp of the School Resource Unit at 975-2358.

The School Resource Unit promotes this program in Saskatoon high schools. YPA participants will experience a ride-along in a patrol car and the opportunity to observe in the Communications Unit. A graduation ceremony will be held for candidates and invited guests.

Objectives

The goal of the Academy is to give students a better understanding of the Police Service through education and to dispel some of the stereotypes that youth may have about policing and police officers.

Example of a  Course Schedule