The next session of the Gurnee Citizen Police Academy has been delayed due to COVID-19 precautions. For updates on the next session, please continue to check this website or follow us on Facebook for announcements.
Gurnee Citizen Police Academy
The Gurnee Citizen Police Academy is a 33-hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the practices, policies, and procedures governing the police department. The instruction consists of eleven 3-hour blocks conducted on a weekly basis. The week 13 session boasts a brief graduate ceremony.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age and of good moral character with no felony convictions.
Classes are held each Thursday evening from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. For more information please contact Education Specialist Tami Martin at (847) 599-7181 or via email.
Class Summary:
Class #27 (March 2016) students wrote a summary of each class. Their writings are below:
Week #2
Wendy started out by explaining the hiring process and qualifications needed to apply for the position. There are fourteen 911 dispatchers each of which work 12 hour shifts. If anyone thinks this is some sort of secretarial position they’d better think again. The position requires the ability to multitask at an exceedingly high level; taking calls, monitoring numerous radios and computer screens as well as walk-in traffic by the public and officers. They’re expected to do it all in a calm, efficient, and professional manner.
Joe Zak was the next speaker. He showed photos of the previous police facility when it was flooded by the Des Plaines River. Joe took us visually through the current facility and explained all of the monitoring that they do. He explained all the different computer screens and how they assist the 911 dispatchers. An interesting fact is that the 911 center is designed to function for 2 full hours if the entire building was engulfed in flames. The 911 center also serves as the security hub for the entire police facility.
The last speaker for the evening was Jason Shirkey who taught about emergency medical dispatch. The 911 dispatchers can offer aid in almost 3 dozen medical emergency scenarios. From child birth to heart attacks, they’re all trained to provide guidance to callers until paramedics arrive at the scene. Whatever the emergency, by the time police or fire arrive on scene; the lifeline in the form of a skilled 911 operator has been your true first responder.
The evening concluded with a tour of the 911 center.
Next week (03/17/16) students will explore patrol functions as they relate to Gurnee Mills and Six Flags, DUI sobriety testing, felony stops, etc.
Gordon Hannan, current Vice President, CPA Alumni Association
Youth Citizen Police Academy
The next session of the Gurnee Youth Citizen Police Academy has been canceled due to COVID-19 precautions. For updates on next summer's session, please continue to check this website or follow us on Facebook for announcements.
Applications are available at the Gurnee Police Department and Warren Township High School Student Services.
For questions and to submit an application please contact Public Education Specialist Tami Martin at 847-599-7181 or email TamiM@police.gurnee.il.us
Youth police academy participants will experience virtually every aspect of policing including patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, canine unit, firearms, defensive tactics, and more. The academy is FREE and lunch is provided each day.
Applicants must:
• be able to successfully pass a background examination
• be a high school student in good standing
• be of good moral character
• have reliable transportation