VIP Community Academy

 The Community Police Academy provides Winchester's citizens with an inside look at local law enforcement operations and challenges. The purpose of the Academy is to develop positive relations between the police and the community through education, and participants will learn about various aspects of the department. Instructors include officers and civilian personnel who speak on their areas of expertise. 

 

Schedule

Weeks 1 and 2

  • Welcome & Introduction
  • Administrative Address
  • Tour of Police Department
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Patrol Division 
  • Emergency Communications (Dispatch)
  • Gang Activity/Narcotics & Drugs

Weeks 3 and 4

  • SRO Program/Juvenile Law
  • Homelessness/Addiction Response
  • Community Response Team
  • Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
  • Crisis Intervention Team/Mental Health

Weeks 5 and 6

  • Crime Scene Processing & Fingerprinting
  • Polygraph Operations
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Officer Requirements & Hiring Process
  • Patrol Functions/Paperwork

Weeks 7 and 8

  • Court Proceedings/Law of Arrest
  • Victim/Witness Program
  • Volunteers in Policing Program (VIP)
  • Police Driving/Pursuits K-9 Demo

Week 9

  • Officer Survival
  • SWAT
  • Firearms Demo

Week 10

  • Graduation and Dinner

 

Volunteers in Policing

Graduates are eligible (but not required) to apply to become a member of the Volunteers in Policing Program

Application 

**Application will be posted closer to 2025 date**