Speedway Community Policing

Mission and History

In their continuing efforts to develop community awareness through education, the Speedway Police Department offers an annual Police Citizens Academy. The mission of Speedway Police Citizens Academy is to produce better informed citizens with a deeper understanding of the Speedway Police Department, insights into how police officers perform their duties, and the role law enforcement plays in the community.

The Speedway Police Department Citizens Academy will promote the concept of “Together Everyone Achieves More.” This will create better teamwork and cooperation between the Speedway Police Department and the citizens they serve – a partnership that is necessary for the success of any police agency.

The first Citizens Academy class was held in early 2011, with a second class following that fall. Beginning in 2012, the class is held once per year (beginning in early September), running 12 weeks (class is held one night per week), and commencing with a graduation ceremony.

 

Class Format & Course Curriculum

The Speedway Police Department Citizens Academy consists of weekly 3-hour classes that include lectures, hands-on learning, and role-playing scenarios. Citizens will also participate in a ride-along with a patrol officer. This program will provide an overview of the professional training that Speedway Police Department officers receive and how we function to provide the highest level of service and protection to the community. Participants must be at least 18 years old prior to the start of the Citizens Academy. Highlights include:

• Ride-along
• K-9
• Patrol procedures
• SWAT
• Narcotics
• Gangs

In addition, students will have an opportunity to participate in the following:

• Fingerprinting
• Crime scene investigation
• Firearms
• Drive a police car on the EVOC course
• Go for a ride on the high speed course driven by an officer
• Traffic stop

Graduates of the Speedway Police Department Citizens Academy will gain an improved understanding of the Speedway Police Department’s policing function and will be able to better assist officers in identifying and resolving problems in their community. This will improve the efficiency of the Speedway Police Department and raise the quality of life enjoyed by citizens of the community.

The slideshow below contains photos from various Speedway Police Citizens Academy classes. If the slideshow is not visible (usually if you are on an iOS device), please click here for a link to the photos.

Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association & Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.)

Academy graduates are well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services, and it is hoped that alumni will share this knowledge with other members of the community as the opportunity arises. Everyone benefits from citizens understanding of the role and function of their police agency.

Graduates can opt to become involved with their community and the police department by joining the Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association (auxiliary activities) and/or by working with the department on a volunteer basis with the Speedway Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.) program, a tiered system of duties and responsibilities.

For more information on these two programs, see the following links:

• Speedway Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association
• Speedway Volunteers in Policing

10th Speedway Police Citizens Academy Class – Fall 2019

The 10th Citizens Academy Class will be held starting Wednesday August 28, 2019, and running for 12 weeks.

Class sizes are limited to 20 participants, selected on first-come, first-served basis. Only those who apply will be considered for the class; we do not allow walk-in participants.

Anyone interested in participating should fill out the application online, or if preferred, the application is available to print using the link below. All applications must be received no later than August 10th to be considered for this session. Any applications received over the class size will have automatic wait-list status.

If you prefer to submit a paper application, here is a link to the Citizens Academy application that can be downloaded, printed and mailed to:

Speedway Police Department
ATTN: Sarah Edie
1410 N. Lynhurst Dr.
Speedway, Indiana 46224
sedie@speedwayin.gov
(317) 246-4300 FAX (317) 240-1318

If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to call Sarah or post on our Facebook page or Twitter account (see links at right).

Around Town

Also, be sure to look out for Citizens Academy Alumni / Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.) / Neighborhood Watch at various civic events throughout Speedway! If you see us, please stop by and say hello and ask questions. CA Alumni or V.I.P.s will also be happy to relate our experiences with Citizens Academy, Volunteers in Policing, our relationship and activities with the Speedway Police Department, and even assist if you wish to join an upcoming class!