Citizens Police Academy - Spring 2026
Coordinator: Sgt. Morrissette
Note: This schedule is provided as an outline. Events and topics may be adjusted depending on the availability of the detention facilities, prosecutor’s office, K-9 officer, and coroner’s office.
January 7 – Welcome & Introduction (Flynn Tour), and History of Policing
Kickoff night welcomes participants, introduces academy staff, and sets expectations. Students will tour the Flynn facility and learn about the evolution of policing—from early watchmen and constables to modern community-oriented policing.
January 14 – Police Standards, Academy Training & Communications
Covers hiring standards, academy training, continuing education, and Ohio’s peace officer certification. Students will also learn about the role of police communications, including 911 call-taking, radio operations, and CAD systems.
January 21 – Community Policing & Problem Solving
Introduces community-oriented policing, highlighting partnerships, proactive problem solving, neighborhood watch, and outreach programs. Students will learn how these approaches strengthen trust between police and the community.
January 28 – Off-Site Tour: Hamilton County Coroner’s Office
Students tour the coroner’s facility to learn how forensic pathology, toxicology, and crime lab work assist in death investigations and evidence analysis.
February 4 – Tools of the Trade and Search & Seizure
Demonstrates standard police equipment such as body armor, duty belts, less-lethal options, and patrol vehicles. The session will also cover constitutional limits on search and seizure, with interactive case scenarios on warrants, exceptions, and consent.
February 11 – Crime Scene Investigation, Evidence Collection, and Property Room
Explains how officers and crime scene units process scenes, photograph evidence, lift fingerprints, and document chain of custody. Students will also see how evidence is cataloged and securely stored.
February 18 – Off-Site Tour: Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office
Introduces the prosecutor’s role in charging decisions, plea bargains, and trial preparation. Students learn how officers and prosecutors work together to build cases.
February 25 – Use of Force and Defensive Tactics
Covers the use of force continuum, Ohio Revised Code, and department policies. Includes practical demonstrations of control holds, takedowns, and officer safety tactics. Participants may engage in controlled, hands-on defensive tactics drills.
March 4 – Off-Site Tour: Hamilton County Detention Facility
Students learn about jail operations, inmate intake, classification, and daily security procedures through a guided tour of the facility.
March 11 – Drugs and OVI (DUI)
Focuses on drug trends in Ohio, recognition of narcotics, and the impact on communities. Covers OVI enforcement, including standardized field sobriety tests, breath testing, and DUI laws.
March 18 – Patrol Aspects and Arrests
Explains a patrol officer’s daily duties, from responding to calls to proactive policing. Covers the arrest process—probable cause, handcuffing, Miranda warnings, transport, and booking procedures.
March 25 – K-9 Unit and Traffic Stops
Students meet the K-9 unit, learn about canine roles in narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension. Session also covers how officers conduct traffic stops, from low-risk contacts to high-risk felony stops.
April 1 – Off-Site Tour: Clermont County Detention Facility
Provides another perspective on corrections with a focus on regional jail operations and inter-agency cooperation.
April 8 – MILO Simulator and Graduation
Students participate in MILO (Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives) simulator scenarios, practicing split-second decision making in traffic stops, domestic violence calls, and use-of-force encounters. The course concludes with a graduation ceremony.