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Citizen Police Academy: Measuring Outcomes

NCJ Number
192491
Journal
Police Quarterly Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2001 Pages: 434-448
Author(s)
Joseph A. Schafer; Elizabeth M. Bonello
Date Published
December 2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of one Citizen Police Academy program.
Abstract
During the past 20 years, many American police departments have developed Citizen Police Academies (CPA's). These programs are intended to improve police-community relations, to educate the public, and to further the implementation of community policing strategies. Despite their widespread use, few CPA's have received empirical evaluation of their structure, content, goals, and outcomes. This study examined the impact of one CPA program by surveying past program participants. Although the CPA satisfied the department's objectives, the majority of participants entered the program with positive views of the agency. The study discusses these findings in terms of the program's overall impact within the community. The CPA program evaluated in this study was meeting the goals and objectives established by the sponsoring police agency. Citizens indicated a positive shift in their views of the department and considered participation in the CPA a positive experience. Although the study assessed the outcome of only one program and its particular goals, the program's structure and objectives were comparable to those in many other agencies. Table, references