The Police Department is currently accepting applications for Class #33, starting on Wednesday August 25, 2010.  Space is limited.

The Redondo Beach Citizen Police Academy began during the Spring of 1994. The program is put on twice a year by the police department. The purpose is to provide members of the community with a working knowledge of the police department along with the roles and responsibilities of its police officers. The goals of the program are accomplished through lecture, hands-on training, demonstrations and a ride-along with a police officer.

The participants will meet for three hours, one night per week for twelve weeks, in addition to a graduation night. The information covered includes police training, S.W.A.T., traffic, criminal investigation, K-9, gangs and narcotics.

The program is part of an on-going effort to improve police-community relations. It is strongly believed that the more information the public has about the Redondo Beach Police Department, the less likely they will be suspicious, fearful or hold any misconceptions about police operations. Many conflicts are caused simply by a lack of understanding. The graduates of the program become not only become better informed, but they can bring back a solid foundation of information back to the community. The results are a closer and more positive relationship between the police department and the community we serve.

The program works toward the concept of Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (C.O.P.P.S.). The graduates provide an informed community base for input into the partnership between the community and the police department. Community input, with better information and support, helps to focus police activities and allow officers to respond with more appropriate actions and effective results.

Participants will primarily be comprised of Redondo Beach community members, including residents and business people. It is anticipated that the class participants will be a cross section of residents throughout Redondo Beach.

There are Spring and Fall Citizen Police Academy sessions . If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating in this program, please complete the Citizen Academy Application and return to the Community Policing Unit as directed on the application.