10-Week Citizens Police Academy Returns to St. Cloud This Fall

(KNSI) – Registration is open for the 2026 Metro Citizens Police Academy, a 10-week course that gives St. Cloud area residents a firsthand look at modern policing through classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Classes are led by area officers and begin Thursday, September 10th, running through November 12th. The weekly sessions run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at various departments and locations throughout the area.

Local departments say they are seeking a diverse group of applicants with a specific interest in police procedures, including the use and application of force, training and arrest practices. Officials note that many of those topics have drawn national scrutiny and public debate in recent years, and the course is designed to openly discuss them while examining the training, equipment and circumstances local officers encounter.

Organizers say the goal of the program is to help the community better understand police training, procedures and philosophy. The coursework closely parallels the training curriculum that police officer candidates go through, covering topics that include:

Community Policing and Ethics
Basic Constitutional Law
Criminal Law, Traffic and Local Ordinances
Interpersonal Skills
Human Diversity
Domestic Crisis Intervention
Defensive Tactics and Use of Force
Patrol Procedures
Firearms
Vehicle Stops and Vehicle Operations
Crime Scene
Specialized Units
Training Scenarios
Open Forum and Current Issues

Organizers stress that the academy is solely informative and does not train or authorize citizens to act in a law enforcement capacity.

To take part, applicants must be at least 21 years old, must reside within the St. Cloud city limits and must not have a criminal record. A records clearance check is completed before an applicant is accepted into the program.

Participants who complete the full course receive a certificate of completion from the chief of police at the final session.

Space is limited, and organizers encourage interested residents to register early.

To apply, click here.

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