Citizen's Police Academy

************************REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THE 2024 CITIZENS ACADEMY. PLEASE CHECK BACK NEXT YEAR.******************

The Golden Police Department is accepting applications for the 2024 Citizens Academy. The Academy is set to begin August 28th and is scheduled for 10 weeks of classroom and skills education. Academy attendees will learn what police officers and law enforcement employees do in the performance of their duties and the rules, directives, and laws that guide them. 

The Academy combines classroom presentations with hands-on activities to provide the participants with a comprehensive experience. Participants will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, and two Saturdays for the firing range and drive track training. 

Throughout the course of the Academy participants will attend exposure training encompassing the following: motorcycle operations, victim outreach, crime scene investigation and evidence, law enforcement driving, defensive and distracted driving, DUI investigations, K9, accident investigation, crime prevention, taser, firearms, use of force, code enforcement and animal management, mental health, professional standards, first aid for law enforcement, SWAT, explosive ordinance disposal (BOMB Squad), reality based simulation training, and a tour of dispatch and the Jefferson County Jail.

The Golden Police Department began conducting an Adult Citizens Police Academy in 1995. We felt that exposing citizens to knowledge about police work would help them to better understand and relate to police involvement in the community. Our hope is that the graduates of the Citizens’ Academy will share this knowledge with others in the community.

The application and selection process will include the following:

  • Complete the online application. 
  • Attach a Letter of Interest indicating why they wish to attend the academy. 
  • Must be at least 18 years of age. 
  • Must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a background check. 
  • Must be willing to sign a liability waiver for hands-on and simulation training.
  • The Academy is scheduled to run on Wednesdays from 6-9pm from August 28-November 6, 2024. Graduation will be held on Wednesday 11/13/2024. In addition there will be two Saturday classes: tentatively scheduled for September 7th and October 5th. Interested applicants must commit to the entire Academy with no more than 2 absences. 
  • There are no residency requirements but preference will be given to Golden residents. 

Class size will be limited to 20 participants. The application process will close once this limit has been reached. Please contact Community Resource Officer Aden Jones ajones@cityofgolden.net for more information.

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