Grants Pass residents eager to learn more about local law enforcement will soon have their chance. The Grants Pass Police Department has officially opened registration for its 2025 Citizens Police Academy, a popular 12-week program designed to provide the public with a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the city’s officers.
Each year, the academy offers local citizens an opportunity to engage directly with the men and women who serve their community. The goal is simple: foster understanding, build relationships, and create a more informed public. For those curious about how police operations really work, this hands-on experience delivers an inside view rarely available to the general public.
Enrollment is limited to approximately 25 participants, selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Those accepted into the program will commit to attending weekly classes from August 26 through November 11. Sessions will take place every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at either the Grants Pass Police Department or the Hillcrest Fire Station.
The experience goes beyond the classroom. In addition to regular Tuesday classes, participants will have the option to take part in four special Saturday sessions that provide hands-on training. These optional workshops will cover personal safety techniques, firearms handling, emergency vehicle operations, and practical application of defensive tactics. For many past participants, these sessions—especially the opportunity to handle police firearms and drive patrol cars under supervised conditions—are among the highlights of the program.
The full schedule of Tuesday classes runs as follows: August 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; October 7, 14, 21, and 28; and November 4, concluding with a graduation ceremony on November 11. Optional Saturday classes are scheduled throughout the academy for those seeking an even deeper level of participation.
The Citizens Police Academy is not a law enforcement training course, but rather a community outreach effort aimed at demystifying police work and giving everyday residents a clearer sense of the challenges and complexities faced by local officers. Participants will explore various aspects of policing, including patrol operations, investigations, use of force considerations, and community policing strategies.
By the end of the program, graduates will not only walk away with a broader knowledge of law enforcement, but also a deeper connection to the community and those tasked with protecting it. The academy has long been praised as a valuable tool for enhancing trust and communication between the department and the citizens it serves.
Applications can be completed online or in person at the Grants Pass Police Department. Interested residents are encouraged to apply early, as spots typically fill quickly. For more information or to submit an application, visit the city’s official website at https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/249/Citizens-Police-Academy, or stop by the station during regular business hours.