Citizen's Police Academy

The Coppell Citizen's Police Academy was created to build a bond of mutual trust and respect between the Police Department and the community. Police work is filled with many variables that require professional solutions. The goal is to reduce perceived suspicions and misconceptions by establishing mutual trust and cooperation between police and the citizens of Coppell.

Classroom presentations, lectures, and hands-on experience offer participants valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of the Police Department.

Department employees receive direct feedback from members of each class. This two-way communication between police officers and the community furthers the effort to improve the quality of life for our residential and business communities.

Program Details

The Citizen's Police Academy is a 8-week program that meets once a week from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Life Safety Park. At the end of the class, there is a graduation ceremony to congratulate the students. To be eligible to participate, class members must be 18 years of age, with a good standing in the community, must pass a background investigation, and either reside or work in Coppell. Class schedules and the associated curriculum are not finalized until the Academy is filled and the instructors for each topic have been chosen.

Experienced police officers provide briefings, demonstrations, and engage in discussions about police operations with class participation. Each week, different areas of law enforcement are covered. This allows citizens to acquire a working knowledge of the activities that the Coppell Police Officers perform.

Class members will have the opportunity for guided tours of Police Headquarters and Communications. Participants are also given the opportunity to take part in "hands-on" training that is required for the training of new police recruits. The "ride along" program allows students an insight into a day in the life of a Coppell police officer.

Class Topics

Class Topics Include:

  • Building Searches
  • Communications
  • Crime Prevention
  • Crime Scene Investigations
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Criminal Law
  • Firearms
  • Jail Procedures
  • Juvenile Law
  • Patrol
  • School Resource Officer
  • Special Investigations Unit
  • Special Weapons and Tactics
  • Traffic Law and Procedures

Upcoming Citizen's Police Academy Class

The next Citizen's Police Academy Class begins on January 10th, 2023! The class is held every Tuesday evening at Life Safety Park from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for 8 weeks. There will be a graduation after the final class on February 28th, 2023. The classes are limited in size. Citizens that successfully complete the Academy receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to join the Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAC). 

Class members must be 18 years of age with good standing in the community and must pass a background investigation and either reside in or work in Coppell.

The Class 27 Application can be found here. The form should be emailed to police@coppelltx.gov. 

The application period for the 2023 Class will close on December 9th, 2022.  

Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAC)

Members of CPAC donate their valuable time and efforts in support of community and civic activities. For more information, visit the CPAC website.

Citizens wanting to volunteer at the Coppell Police Department must take the Citizen's Police Academy Class and join the Alumni Association before they are eligible to volunteer.