Citizen Police Academy

Naperville’s Citizen Police Academy gives citizens insight into the inner workings of the Naperville Police Department and the issues that affect law enforcement efforts in the City of Naperville. Instruction consists of classroom lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on demonstrations focusing on various aspects of police work, including patrol, investigations, forensics, and special response, among others.

Classes are held once a week from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 10 weeks. Classes are limited to 30 students.

Goal: The Citizen Police Academy is designed to help the residents of Naperville better understand how the police work in their community. It is hoped that all graduates of the Citizen Police Academy will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing that duty. When residents take a more personal interest in their city, and the protection of their community and neighborhoods, they will enjoy a safer and closer relationship with their neighbors. The Citizen Police Academy will allow them to have a more interactive association with the police department.

Upcoming Academy

The 10-week Spring 2025 Citizen Police Academy will begin March 5, 2025, and continue every Wednesday night until May 7. All classes are free and will be held at the Naperville Police Department from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Instruction consists of classroom lectures, interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations focusing on various aspects of police work, including forensics, investigations, patrol and special response, among others. Course content and activities dictate that class size is limited to 30 participants.

Apply

Individuals who apply for the Citizen Police Academy must be 18 years of age and reside and/or work in the City of Naperville. All applicants will be subjected to a criminal background investigation.

To apply, complete the following forms and return the signed documents to Jim Pacetti by email at PacettiJ@naperville.il.us, at fax number (630) 305-7004, or through the mail or in person at the Naperville Police Department, 1350 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540.

Download the
2025 Citizen Police Academy Application and Waiver

A limited number of seats are available for the Spring 2025 Citizen Police Academy. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 and will be considered in the order they are received.

Why attend?

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime in any community. Naperville's Citizen Police Academy aims to improve communication and obtain citizen input and support throughout the city.

It is hoped that the graduates will become partners with the Naperville Police Department in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting the community. Graduates will take their knowledge back to their neighborhoods where they can use it to enhance the quality of neighborhood life.

Participant Testimonials

"This was a great experience. I plan to recommend the program to friends and neighbors. May even do it again in a few years."

- Kevin C.

"The mock crime scene really gave us the feel we were detectives. Very enjoyable."

- Michael S.

"I learned and took away so much more than I was planning on taking away from it."

- Austin H.

"I really enjoyed … learning about the tools of the trade and how they help to keep everyone involved as safe as possible. I had never shot a taser before either, so that was obviously fun."

- Alexander R.

"The presentations were excellent and provided a wealth of information."

- Arvind A.

"I learned a great deal which I am already using in my everyday life."

- Shosheera F.

"I loved the hands-on practice of dusting for fingerprints, and the crime scene investigation was so fun."

- Amanda W.