Community Police Academy

The Community Police Academy provides experiential training on the daily operations and functions of the Charlottesville Police Department (CPD). Classes are taught by members of CPD, including Chief Michael Kochis, Command Staff, and detectives and officers from specialty units. The program is free to the public.

Graduates of the program found the academy to be both informative and rewarding.

Below is a list of topics covered in the program:

  • Introduction and Overview of the Department / Department’s Strategic Plan / Visions and Values
  • Patrol
  • General Investigations
  • Forensics
  • Role of Commonwealth's Attorney Office
  • Traffic Unit
  • Recruitment and Hiring/Accreditation
  • Emergency Communications Center (911)
  • Internal Affairs
  • Emergency Response Unit
  • Firearms/Use of Force
  • K-9

Classes for the Fall Community Police Academy will start on October 25 and run through December 20. They will be held every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Charlottesville Police Department.

Those eligible for the program meet the following criteria:

  1. At least 18 years of age
  2. City resident
  3. Charlottesville business owner
  4. Employed in the City of Charlottesville

If you live outside of the city, you are still eligible if you meet criteria 3 and 4.

The deadline for applications is October 6th at noon. We will be accepting 15 applicants for the Fall Community Police Academy.

Additional Information

To register and for more information please contact Community Involvement Coordinator, Sgt. Eric Thomas at (434) 465-7684. 

The Community Police Academy is sponsored by the Charlottesville Police Foundation.