Dear Citizen,

The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank you for your interest in our Citizens' Academy. The Academy consists of condensed topics taken from the basic police training which state law requires all law enforcement personnel complete in order to become certified police officers.

This Academy is being sponsored by the Police Department to increase public awareness, to improve community relations, and to give citizens the opportunity to become involved. It is not our intent to train you to become police officers, but to aquaint you with some of the procedures of law enforcement and provide an information exchange. The Academy should offer both participants and instructor the opportunity to learn more about the needs of each other and to answer that question that you have always wanted to ask.

The class will meet one night a week from 7 p.m. until 9 or 9:30 p.m. for approximately ten weeks. A sample curriculum and application is attached.

If you are interested in attending the Academy, please complete the attached application and return it to the Kingsport Police Department. We will notify you of acceptance, and of the dates for our next class. If you are interested in attending but reluctant to apply due to scheduling conflicts, please go ahead and fill out the application and return it. We typically offer Academy classes periodically throughout the year, and we hope that at some point in time we can offer a class that will meet with your schedule. For additional information feel free to contact Community Relations and Crime Prevention Officer Tom Patton at (423)229-9433.

Sincerely,
Gale Osborne
Gale Osborne
Chief of Police

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By the way, did we mention Citizens Academy Classes are FREE... and they're FUN?

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In 1994, the Kingsport Police Department embarked on a concept of educating community citizens on the daily activities of their police officers by conducting its first Citizens' Police Academy. This program was modeled after some of the few other similar programs already in existence throughout the State of Tennessee.

The goal of the Kingsport Police Department Citizens' Police Academy is to foster a better relationship between the community and the police department through training. It is envisioned that graduates will gain an understanding of the operation of the Police Department and develop an awareness and appreciation of the various challenges and decisions faced every day by Kingsport Police Officers.

Even though, through this program, the selected citizens are given training in numerous police-related subjects, the graduates are NOT prepared for, nor expected to, conduct any police services (street duty). Rather, it is hoped that the graduates will become goodwill ambassadors for the department.

With each graduating class, the list of prospective "goodwill ambassadors" continues to grow. Positive comments expressed in the community by these graduates increases the interest in the Citizens' Academy throughout the City of Kingsport.

Enrollment in the academy is restricted to between 12 and 18 candidates.

Requirements for admission to the academy are set to maintain the quality of the program for the citizens of Kingsport. Basic requirements include:

1. Minimum age of l8
2. A resident of Kingsport
3. If not a City resident, a owner or manager of a business in the City
4. Non-City residents will be considered on an individual basis, dependant on space availability

Applicants are recruited through referral by graduates, officers, or through telephone requests by members of the community. We also advertise in the local newspaper and other forums when preparation for another class is underway.

When the application is returned, a thorough background investigation is completed. This investigation includes a criminal history, driver's license status check, and a warrant check. Background investigations must be completed due to the sensitive nature of police work. Once the list of prospective students is narrowed to the 12-18 maximum, a letter of acceptance is mailed to each student. A criminal conviction will not necessarily preclude an applicant from participating, however The Kingsport Police Department reserves the right to review these on a case by case basis.

Students are encouraed to attend every class session, however, a minimum of eight classes are required for graduation. In addition to class attendance, students are required to ride for an eight hour shift with a patrol officer and spend two hours observing in Central Dispatch. Candidates must also agree to, and sign a liability waiver and an indemnity agreement. The liability waiver releases the Police Department from liability should the student incur an injury while he or she is riding with patrol officers. The indemnity agreement informs the student of the confidential nature of police work with regard to criminal histories and other information they may hear while spending time in Central Dispatch. It also advises them that the MUST NOT relay any of this confidential information to anyone outside the department

Private citizens' are allowed to ride by the Department's Insurer, The Tennessee Municipal League, however, the hours are restricted. Students may ride from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. If this does not coincide with the students work schedule, the eight hour ride-along can be broken up into segments that are more accommodating for the student.

The Citizens' Police Academy is held one evening a week from 7 p.m. to 9 or 9:30 p.m. for approximately ten weeks. There will be one additional class held at the Firing Range. This additional class typically occours on a Friday evening or a Saturday morning. Students are exposed to a variety of police topics during the Academy. In order to keep the classes interesting and the students busy, the teaching format varies between the use of videos, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises. The topics covered in the Academy will be selected from the following list:

1. Introduction- (Academy Overview, Justice center Tour, etc.)
2. Crime Scene Investigations
3. Gangs
4. Child Abuse and Neglect
5. Vice Operations
6. Traffic Stops
7. D.U.I and Crash Investigations
8. Building Searches
9. Defensive Tactics and the Use of Force
10. Police K-9s
11. Explosive Ordnance Disposal
12. S.W.A.T. Team demonstration

All students who complete the requirements for graduation will be recognized at a meeting of the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Please print, complete and sign all four documents listed below, so we can begin to process your application right away. We look forward to seeing you in our next session.