Citizens Police Academy

Weekly Video Blog

Last night was the first day of the West Fargo’s Citizens Police Academy! We got the opportunity to meet some of the amazing officers on the department, including Chief of Police Heith Janke and Assistant Chief Jerry Boyer. We also learned about gangs in the area and how the department handles them. Luckily, gangs aren’t as big as an issue here as it is in bigger cities. Next week participants of the academy will be learning about registered offenders and investigations. Keep up to date with what I’m learning at the Citizens Police Academy with this weekly blog!

For last week’s video, go to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/ro0n5652W_I





The West Fargo Citizens Police Academy is an annual 10-week program designed to give citizens the opportunity to experience the daily work of the West Fargo Police Department. Citizens have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities from classroom training and tours to hand-on experiences.

Citizens Police Academy participants are not actually trained for police work. Participants will, however, gain a better understanding of the West Fargo Police Department operations and the daily responsibilities officers are tasked with. 

Since it began in 2000, the West Fargo Police Department Citizen Police Academy program has served as an educational tool for residents of West Fargo as well as an opportunity to cultivate the relationship between residents and the West Fargo Police Department. 
Citizens Police Academy

Cost

There is no participation fee for the West Fargo Citizens Police Academy.

Requirements

Interested participants must be a resident of West Fargo or currently employed in West Fargo and 20 years of age  or older. Only chosen and notified applicants are able to participate in the program.

Application Process

To apply, please return the completed Citizens Police Academy application via email to 

Rhonda.Jorgensen@westfargond.gov or mail/drop off at: 

West Fargo Police Department 

Attn: Officer Rhonda Jorgensen  

800 4th Ave E, Suite 2 

West Fargo, ND 58078 

What Happens Next

Officer Rhonda Jorgensen will accept the Citizens Police Academy applications  in the order they arrive. The West Fargo Police Department will conduct a background check. After that, Officer Jorgensen will contact the applicants in regards to being accepted or not into the next Citizens Police Academy. Only chosen and notified applicants are able to participate in the program.

Comments

Fill out this form if you would like to be contacted when the next Citizens Police Academy’s registration is open.

Spring 2020 Schedule

  • March 12 - Welcome Night / Street Crimes
  • March 19 - Investigations / Registered Offenders
  • March 26 - Fire Department / Narcotics
  • April 2 - K-9 / Tasers
  • April 9 - Dispatch / DUI
  • April 16 - Firearms 
  • April 23 - SWAT / Bomb / Negotiations
  • April 30 - Jail Tour / Chaplins / School Resource Officers / Cultural Liaison Officer
  • May 7 - Traffic Stops
  • May 14 - Graduation