Enrollment open for Citizens Police Academy

July 13, 2021

The Bartlesville Police Department is accepting applications for the next Citizens Police Academy, scheduled to begin on Aug. 31, Capt. Troy Newell said recently.

To be considered for the next academy, applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 17. Applications for the 12-week course can be obtained in person at the Police Department, located at 615 S. Johnstone Ave., or by emailing Newell at tmnewell@cityofbartlesville.org.

The objective of the academy is to improve the general understanding of policing among citizens, thereby enabling them to make more informed judgments about policing and to develop a trust between our citizens,” Newell said. “Law enforcement work is often misunderstood. The Citizens Police Academy gives us a chance to pull back the curtain and show the public what we really do.”

Newell said the academy is good for the department, too.

“We’ve received some great feedback and have made some great friends within the community,” he said. “This support makes us all more effective at our jobs.”

The academy is free to attend and meets 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays for 12 weeks. Class sizes are limited to ensure the quality of the course.

“The objective of the academy is not to make police officers out of the graduates, but to make them better-informed residents with an accurate knowledge of the department’s responsibilities and functions,” he said.

The BPD Citizens Police Academy is taught by police officers and other personnel in their own area of expertise. Sessions cover a range of topics, including patrol functions, jail operations, 911 communications, hiring and training of officers, domestic violence issues, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, narcotics, DUI enforcement, and officer use of force, officer safety, crime prevention and defensive tactics.

Chief Tracy Roles said one of the goals of the academy is to create ambassadors in the community for the department.

“I think some of the rewards of the program, again, go back to the support we get in the community,” he said. “The Bartlesville community is very supportive of our department. I would hope the citizens who have completed the citizens’ academy are spreading our message.”