Hollister Police Citizen Academy

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO BUDGET RESTRAINTS, CITIZEN ACADEMY PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON WHEN THESE PROGRAMS WILL AGAIN BECOME AVAILABLE.

What is the Citizen Police Academy?

The Hollister Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy provides community members with an inside look at local law enforcement. The twelve week Academy is designed to give citizens an overview of Departmental policies and procedures. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but the weekly sessions are informational and not designed to make the participant a police officer. The Hollister Police Department hopes there will be a greater awareness and understanding of law enforcement’s role in the community through the education provided by the Citizen Police Academy.  

What is the curriculum? 

During the Academy, students will be introduced to our community based police service. Training topics include: patrol procedures, discipline policy, drug enforcement, traffic law, criminal investigations, firearms safety, and many more. The classes are taught by police personnel and there will also be presentations by city officials, the District Attorney, and the Sheriff. Each class member will be given a "Ride-along" with an on-duty patrol officer, affording them a first hand look at law enforcement. Throughout the classes, participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Police and staff members, and are encouraged to ask questions and express their concerns to police employees.  Upon completion of the Academy there will be a graduation ceremony and pot luck banquet for all participants.  

When is the Citizen Academy?

The Hollister Police Department offers a September and a January session of the Citizen Police Academy. The length of each Academy is twelve consecutive weeks. Classes meet each Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hollister Police Department. 

Who can attend?

 Applicants for the Citizen Police Academy must meet the following criteria:

·        Minimum age of 21 years

·        Live or work within the city limits

·        NO prior FELONY convictions

·        NO MISDEMEANOR arrests within ONE YEAR of application

·        Final selection made by the Chief of Police

 For information on how to receive an application, please call or e-mail the Hollister Citizen Academy Coordinator at (831)-638-4117 or download an application form below.

Citizen Academy Application

For a student's impression of the academy, you might want to view this series of articles written by a local newspaper reporter.  Behind the Badge by Dave Moseley - City Editor, The Free Lance.