Want to gain insight into how the Tacoma Police Department works? The Citizens' Academy is for you.

The Citizens' Academy highlights the Tacoma Police Department's community oriented policing philosophy, which strengthens the bond between community members and police officers as they proactively work together to solve community issues of varying levels of complexity.

The goal of the Citizens' Academy is to create a growing core of well-informed community members who are proud of their police department, and who can serve as ambassadors who share their experiences with and knowledge about law enforcement with other community members.

During three-hour sessions, held one night a week for twelve (12) weeks, the Citizens' Academy offers City of Tacoma residents, its employees, and community and business leaders an up close and personal look at the way the Tacoma Police Department is organized and an opportunity to learn more about:

Each session at the Citizens' Academy can accommodate 25-30 community members over the age of 18.  Instructors are officers and personnel from within the Tacoma Police Department and other agencies who are department-recognized subject matter experts.

The Citizens' Academy first launched in 1987 and is coordinated through the Tacoma Police Department's Community Policing Division.  More than 1,250 community members have graduated from the Citizens' Academy.

Application Process

The next Academy will be held in late-summer through late-fall of 2019. The dates have not been set yet, but the class is typically held once a week from 6-9 PM for three months. The class takes place at the City of Tacoma Fleet Operations classroom at 3639 South Pine Street, adjacent to the Tacoma Police Headquarters.

Please check back for the 2019 dates, at which point you may register. You'll need to include a scanned (or photocopied) copy of your Washington Driver's License with your application.

Contact Lt. Daniel Still at (253) 591-5697 with questions.