In the winter-spring of 2024, the Camp Hill Borough Police Department will be offering a Citizen’s Police Academy in conjunction with their community policing efforts. It’s our belief more open communication and interaction between the community and its police department will improve understanding and respect for both officers and community members. The more community engagement we are involved in, the better we can serve the community.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to introduce members of the Camp Hill community to the criminal justice system as well as the Camp Hill Police Department. Participation in the academy is strictly voluntary with classes being held one night a week for approximately 6 weeks. A minimum age of 18 is required for participation.

Borough police officers and other guest presenters will provide presentations concerning various functions and operations of the Department and other agencies. Topic areas may include, but are not limited to, patrol operations, DUI enforcement, drug enforcement, traffic enforcement, traffic safety, criminal investigations, forensic and evidence collection, accident investigation, the use of force, firearms, non-lethal weapons, Communications Center operations, bicycle patrol operations, and our SRO program. Presentations may include lectures, videos, tours and hands-on participation.

By the end of the academy program, attendees will have gained considerable insight into their police department and the services that it provides to the community twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, they will have had the opportunity to meet and communicate with many Camp Hill Police Department Officers.

Effective law enforcement requires building partnerships between police officers and the citizen’s that they serve. We believe that the Borough of Camp Hill’s Citizen’s Police Academy is an excellent opportunity to support and enhance that bond.

Camp Hill Citizens Police Academy Guidelines

1. A class schedule will be provided prior to the start of the program.

2. Dress is casual.

3. You are required to bring your academy class materials with you each week. : These materials will be supplied on the first night of class.

4.  I.D. badges must be worn when attending the Citizens Police Academy.

5. Smoking or other tobacco use is prohibited.

6. Portions of the instruction during some sessions may be of a confidential and/or sensitive nature. Participants are asked to treat this information accordingly.

Identification Badges

1. Identification Badges are to be used for identification purposes while attending Camp Hill Citizen’s Police Academy events only.

2. Identification Badges do not authorize you to act or identify yourself in any manner of official capacity as a member of the Camp Hill Borough Police Department.

Above photo of Borough Council Member Mercedes Evans and Community Member Tim Jackson flanked by Mayor Simpson and Chief Margeson.  Both Mercedes and Tim have been involved with the police department in discussing the delivery of the Citizens Police Academy program.  They both are supportive of increasing police-community engagement and see the Citizen Police Academy as a great opportunity to achieve that goal.