Community Police Academy


Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday nights for 12 consecutive weeks.

The Salinas Police Department’s Community Police Academy runs one night a week, for 12 consecutive weeks, from 6 – 9 p.m. During this bi-lingual program, you will be exposed to the various aspects of our work and law enforcement in general. Topics include an overview of the entire organization, Internal Affairs, K-9, Field Operations, High-risk Tactics, the Violence Suppression Unit, Narcotics, Laws of Arrest, Firearms, Police Investigations, Driving Under the Influence, and Crime Scene Evidence Processing.

Community Police Academy participants will have the opportunity to go on a ride-along with a patrol officer, see what the Salinas Police SWAT team does, learn all about our Crime Scene Investigation Unit, participate in scenarios, watch a demonstration of the K9 program, learn about the hiring process of police officers and more.

Each night features a new topic, with speakers, demonstrations and discussions. We will answer questions and give an in-depth, behind the scenes look at police operations.

To attend the Community Police Academy, please submit an application. You may download one here:

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Please mail or deliver the completed application to Police Service of Salinas, Community Services Unit, 312 East Alisal Street, Salinas, CA, 93901.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, live or work in Salinas or involved in a community-based organization that provides services to Salinas residents. Applicants must not be on probation or parole, or have any recent felonies on their record. Class size is limited to 25 – 30 students, so please do not wait to submit an application.

We look forward to seeing you at the next Academy!