Citizen Police Academy

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The Carmel Police Department is proud to present the Citizen Police Academy (CPA), which is a free program that provides insight to the public on the responsibilities and operations of our Department. Our first academy was conducted in April of 2001. That session was an overwhelming success, and every subsequent academy has been even better!

We have designed the CPA to accomplish several goals. The most important goal is to open channels of communication between the citizens of Carmel and their Police Department. Additionally, we want to develop an understanding of the police role in the community. The objective of the Academy is not to make police officers out of the graduates, but to make them better informed citizens, with an accurate knowledge of our many responsibilities and functions.

The Spring 2026 Citizen Police Academy is now OPEN!

Apply here.

The instructors will all be members of the Carmel Police Department, and they will provide instruction and information concerning a particular area of their profession.

Attendees will have an opportunity to experience the "real" police department with some of the training "hands-on".

Spring Class Dates (note: No class Thursday, April 9th)

Thursday, February 6^th

Thursday, February 12^th

Thursday, February 19^th

Thursday, February 26^th

Thursday, March 5^th

Thursday, March 12^th

Thursday, March 19^th

Thursday, March 26^th

Thursday, April 2^nd

Thursday, April 16^th

Graduation - Thursday, April 23rd

Academy Requirements

Requirements for participants include:

Be at least 18 years old
Have no criminal history other than minor traffic violations (background checks will be performed)
Be physically able to meet training requirements
Commit to attend 11 weekly training sessions lasting 2 - 2.5 hours
Sign any required waivers or agreements

Sample Overview of Course

Week One	Welcome Department Overview Introduction of Staff Tour Chaplain Program
Week Two	Community Outreach Programs Complaints/Accreditation
Week Three	Use of Force
Week Four	Operations Division Observation of Police Vehicle/Traffic Division Motorcycle/Command Vehicle
Week Five	Recruitment/Hiring/FTO/ILEA SFST's-OWI, DRE
Week Six	Support Division SRO
Week Seven	Criminal Investigations Division Crime Scenes
Week Eight	Criminal Intelligence Special Investigations Division Drug Enforcement
Week Nine	SWAT Negotiator ERG
Week Ten	Mental Health & IDs K-9 Demonstrations
Week Eleven	Graduation

Many past graduates of the Citizens Police Academy continue to gather and learn even more about the Department. They have formed the Carmel Police Department Citizens Academy Alumni Association. In addition to regular meetings, the Alumni volunteer at many local events.

Visit the Alumni Association page

For additional information, contact:

Dawn Fisher
Phone: 317-571-2720
Email: dfisher@carmel.in.gov

or

Major Anna Flaming, Coordinator
Phone: 317-571-2746
Email: aflaming@carmel.in.gov