The Citizen’s Academy is a 10 week program designed to provide City of Leesburg residents and community leaders first-hand information about the police department and its functions in an academy-style setting.

Participation in the Citizen’s Academy requires a commitment of one night per week for a 10 week period. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Leesburg Police Department.

The instructors are officers and administrative personnel from the department who teach in their own areas of expertise. Each instructor has years of training and experience in their particular subject.

These officers also bring real-life street experiences into the classroom that enhance the learning experience and help residents and community leaders better understand why and how police officers do what they do.

The academy includes sessions on a variety of topics including police use of force and defensive tactics, criminal investigations, crime scene investigations, traffic enforcement and crash investigations, crisis intervention, illegal drugs, and even a police K-9 demonstration.

In some of the sessions, academy participants will have the opportunity to learn through hands-on demonstrations, such as firing real and simulated police weapons or participating in defensive tactics demonstrations.

We attempt to reflect the broadest possible range of citizens within our community. This includes selecting participants both young and old, men and women, and others who are representative of all ethnic, cultural, religious, and civic groups.

Complete the application and return it to the Leesburg Police Department. You can return it by mail or in person. If you are selected to participate, we will notify you prior to the next session. There is no cost to participate.

If you would like more information about the program, please contact Community Services Division at 352-728-9859.