URBANA, Illinois – The University of Illinois Police Department’s biannual Community Police Academy is returning for the Spring 2023 semester, and registration is open now.

This is the first time the in-person experience is returning to campus after it was put on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is free and open to everyone, though preference is given to students, faculty and staff if the class reaches capacity.

UIPD’s Community Police Academy provides a behind-the-scenes experience to learn about police operations, investigations, crime prevention, and specialized units. It is an opportunity for community members to participate in hands-on learning, demonstrations, and presentations from current police officers.

“We prioritize community outreach and transparency,” said U. of I. Police Chief Alice Cary. “The Community Police Academy gives us an opportunity to show community members how and why we do certain things, and it gives them a chance to ask questions, engage in sometimes difficult conversations, and experience some of the challenges our officers face.”

The academy runs for four weeks, with one three-hour evening (6-9 p.m.) session each week. The tentative schedule for the Spring 2023 semester looks like this:

Feb. 1: Introduction; Overview of UIPD, COAST and REACH; 911 and dispatch
Feb. 8: Investigations; Sexual Assault; Crime scene investigations, fingerprints and DNA
Feb. 15: Traffic stops; SWAT operations; Bomb squad; K9 Unit
Feb. 22: Use of force; Officer-involved shootings; Simulation; Graduation

Anyone interested can start their registration at go.illinois.edu/policeacademy.