Citizens' Police Academy

The RCPD Citizens’ Police Academy is a 14-week program that exposes participants to a variety of police functions, for a better understanding of how law enforcement operates.

CPA

Participants will go behind the scenes to:
• Drive a police car through an obstacle course
• Shoot firearms in a range
• Follow the evidence to work a mock crime scene
• Tour the Public Safety Building, Pennington County Jail and Juvenile Services Center
• Meet the SRT (SWAT), K9 Unit, Chief Hedrick, and other RCPD officers
• And much more!

Who should apply?
The program is great for social workers, counselors, healthcare professionals, reporters, teachers, government employees, family members of law enforcement, and anyone interested in learning more about the Rapid City Police Department.

When: Classes of the Fall 2025 Citizens' Police Academy will take place August 19th through November 18th.

Cost:  There is no cost to participate, but class size is limited.

Requirements: Participants must live or work in the Rapid City area, be at least 21 years of age, have a valid driver's license, fill out an application, and submit to a background check. Participants should commit to attending each week of the course. If more than two absences are expected, please consider applying to next year's class. The dates for the Fall 2025 Citizens' Police Academy are:

  • Tuesday August 19
  • Tuesday August 26
  • Tuesday September 2
  • Saturday September 6
  • Tuesday September 9
  • Tuesday September 16
  • Tuesday September 23
  • Tuesday September 30
  • Tuesday October 7
  • Saturday October 11
  • Tuesday October 14
  • Tuesday October 21
  • Tuesday October 28
  • Tuesday November 4
  • Thursday November 13
  • Tuesday November 18

Application: Applications for the Fall 2025 session have closed. Applications for the next Citizens' Police Acadamy will open in June of 2026. The reopening of applications will be announced on the department's Facebook page. 

More in this category: « Cadets YO! RCPD Academy »

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