Citizens' Police Academy

What is the Citizens' Police Academy?

The Citizens' Academy is a group of citizens who are interested in learning more about how their police department operates and the challenges our city faces. We hope our graduates will be more aware and more informed about how our department operates and the challenges law enforcement face each day. We wish to create a growing network of responsible, well-informed citizens who will gain an appreciation of problems and challenges facing law enforcement in our community. Our goal is to always have an open door of communication and to form a network of individuals that will help us positively impact our community. They will have an opportunity to work with our department to offer comments and ideas regarding positive solutions to some of law enforcement's most complex issues.

Who can attend?

You must be at least 18 years of age,

Reside, own a business, or work in the City of Lampasas area.

Willing to commit to 6 meetings of 2 hours length held over 6 weeks.

Successfully complete a background investigation:

An applicant may be disqualified from participating for any of the following reasons, including but not limited to:

Outstanding warrants of any type.
Having a conviction or being under indictment for, or currently charged with any felony offense.
Having a history of or conviction for any sexual related offense.
Having a history of or conviction of family violence.
Having been convicted for a class A misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years.
Having been convicted for a class B misdemeanor within the last five (5) years.
Having a driver’s license or ID card suspension for any reason that indicates poor driving behavior or responsibility to comply with State laws; up to five (5) years from the time of the suspension to application. This does not include suspensions resulting from MIP violations.
Having a driver’s license or ID card that is currently classified as a habitual violator.
Applicant is a subject of a crime while such case is being investigated by this department or any department and/or prosecuted as a result of the investigation.
Applicant is a known associate of a convicted felon.
Applicant is a known member of or associated with any organization, association, movement, or group which advocates hatred, prejudice, or oppression of any person or group of which disseminates such material.
Application is a known member of or associated with any organization, association, movement, or group which advocates the commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under the Constitution of the United States or which seeks to alter the form of government of the United States by unconstitutional means.
Any other indications of criminal history, criminal involvement and/or previous law enforcement involvement will be evaluated on a case by case basis and considered in the application process.

Classes

The Academy is offered one time a year with a limit of 12 persons per Academy. Applications may be picked up at the Lampasas Police Department, 301 East 4th Street, Lampasas, Texas, email Chief Jody Cummings at jcummings@cityoflampasas.com to have an application emailed to you, or download one from the link at the top of this page and return the application to the police department or scan and email it to Chief Cummings.

Classes are Free

Members of the department will cover a variety of topics that will highlight each departmental unit and its duties. The Academy will begin with an overview of the department and a tour of the facilities by Chief Cummings.

Instructors are sworn police officers, personnel of the department, and guest speakers with expertise in their field. Topics will include a State of the City by the City Manager Finley deGraffenried, patrol procedures, street survival, DWI enforcement, narcotics, criminal investigations, court procedures, family violence, animal control- animal shelter, code enforcement, mental health issues, and 911/communications. In addition, we will invite guest speakers to come join us and have additional classes to offer, all free of charge, to the participants of the program.