Citizens Public Safety Academy

What is a Citizens Public Safety Academy?

The Citizens Public Safety Academy is a group of citizens who are interested in learning more about how their Public Safety Department operates and the challenges our City faces. It should help citizens gain a better understanding of why certain verdicts are given. Participants in each session commit to meetings for three hours, one night per week, for eleven weeks, to learn about each aspect of the Department. The sessions are held at Dalworthington Gardens City Hall.

 

What is the purpose of the Citizens Public Safety Academy?

The purpose of the academy is to enhance the positive relations between the Department and the community through education. The goals are to create a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential of influencing the public opinions about police and fire services. Citizens will gain an appreciation of problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions. 

How are citizens selected? 

The Department seeks to fill each session with a cross section of community representatives.
Spaces are on a first come first service basis. At this time, the class size is limited to 20 citizens.

What subjects are covered? 

A variety of topics are covered that will highlight each section and its duties. The academy will begin with a history of the department and a tour of the facilities. Additional topics will include department organization, patrol division, investigative division, communications, court, records, reserve division, fire services, training, use of force and firearms, street survival and crime prevention. In addition we may invite guest speakers from a K-9 Unit, the District Attorney’s Office and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

Besides the classroom time, students have the opportunity to ride with patrol officers on their regular shifts and attend a training session. 

Who instructs the academy? 

Instructors are officers and personnel from the Department, and other support personnel, who will speak on their area of expertise. The academy is coordinated through the Department’s training section. 

How do I apply to attend? 

We are committed to ensuring your information is secure. Please fill out the application. We will notify you if you are selected to participate in the next academy. There is no fee. 

Questions? 

If you have any other questions, please contact Lieutenant Will Fike at 817-275-1234.

​We look forward to sharing this experience with you!