James City County Police bring back Citizens Police Academy after COVID break

WILLIAMSBURG – The James City County Police Department (JCCPD) reopened its Citizens Police Academy this April for the first time since the pandemic.

The Citizens Police Academy was founded in 1985 in Orlando, Florida, USA and in May 1995, James City County hosted its first Citizens Police Academy. The program is designed to promote better understanding between citizens and police through education and communication.

Alan McDowell and Jerry White, both retired JCC police officers, lead the program for James City County.

“This program opens the doors to citizens to show them that we are not some big monster out there wreaking havoc. We are your police department, you should know the inner workings of the law enforcement agency that represents you,” McDowell said.

The academy curriculum includes department philosophy, uniformed patrol, communications, community services, school police unit, SWAT, firearms safety, water patrol, underwater search and recovery, RADAR, traffic stops, drunk driving procedures, animal control, crisis negotiations, investigations, polygraph testing, school shooting training, crime scene investigations and techniques, use of force, officer survival, and peer support.

During a session, officials from different departments talk about their work, many bringing props and tools and encouraging the class to ask difficult questions.

“Our students at the Citizen Police Academy are put in a position where they can ask those tough questions without any concerns. We want you to ask those things. This is an environment where we can break things down so our citizens understand why we as police officers do things the way we do them,” McDowell said.

After a mandatory handgun safety course, students in the program also have the opportunity to visit the JCC Police shooting range, try out the shooting simulator, and explore various police vehicles and boats.

The academy meets on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at police headquarters and is free for JCC residents over the age of 18, but space is limited. Participants cover two topics each evening and classes are taught by JCC police officers.

“This academy is taking place in the house that you built for us. This building is paid for with taxpayer money and we work for you. You should be able to come in and see it and understand what is going on here,” McDowell said.

At the end of the 12-week course, graduates can sign up as members of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) and can also enroll in the Citizen Forensic Academy. There is also the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with a JCC police officer during a regular shift.

“The police want to build those relationships with the community. We open the doors to the place you’ve built so you can come in and see what we do. We’re as transparent as possible about that. We don’t hide anything, it’s just about showing our citizens what we do and how we fulfill the professional purpose of our careers,” McDowell said.

While the current course is closed to applicants, the JCCPD intends to resume offering the program twice a year. More information about the program can be found online.