Community Police Academy

Spring 2026 Session 

March 10, 2026-May 26, 2026

This session will be in person

Deadline to apply: 2/27/26

View the application

Community Police Academy

The Community Police Academy, formerly known as the Citizen Police Academy, is a 12-week program designed to give the participants a working knowledge of the Evanston Police Department. It consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week. Our goals are to help the community and police:

• Enhance mutual understanding between the community and the police

• Improve communication

• Partner together to solve problems

The Academy has graduated over 900 participants since 1995. To apply, you must live or work in the City of Evanston. We accept approximately 30 people per session and hold two sessions a year. The program is free if you are accepted.

What You Will Learn

Classes run weekly for 11 to 12 weeks, depending on the class size. Participants will learn about important aspects of policing, including:

• How investigations work

• What domestic violence is and how we handle these situations

• How we process a crime scene

• How we de-escalate situations and when force is used

Benefits

Graduates of the Academy will:

• Gain a deeper interest in the issues of your community

• Meet and connect with officers in a positive and engaging environment

• Receive a certificate, an academy t-shirt, and a class photo 

• Join the Academy Alumni Association for further learning

Most importantly, we will work together to identify problems and solutions to community issues.

How To Apply

How To Apply

The next session is March 10 - May 26, 2026, and will be in person. 

• Classes meet weekly on Tuesday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• The session concludes with a commencement ceremony on  May 26, 2026.

There are two academy sessions every year, and each class size is limited to approximately 25 students. 

There is no cost to anyone who lives or works in the City of Evanston. 

An application is required to participate in the program. View the application.

Congratulations to Citizen Police Academy Class 58

Graduated: May 21, 2025