citizen academY

Ever wonder why we do what we do AT APD? Join the Citizen Academy!

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) Citizen Academy allows you a special and unique opportunity to learn about your police department through a highly interactive experience. You will be exploring a wide variety of topics presented by officers, detectives and command staff from APD. The program is designed to promote and enhance citizen understanding and awareness of the role of the Anchorage Police Department within our community. The objective of the course is not to prepare graduates to become police officers, but instead to instill in citizens a greater general knowledge of the many functions of the Anchorage Police Department. The academy is free of charge and open to anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or owns property in Anchorage.

CITIZEN ACADEMY 26-1 Dates & Times

APD’s Citizen Academy is a 12-week program held at APD’s Headquarters located at 716 W 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK.

Citizen Academy 26-1 will be held at APD HQ on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM beginning February 18, 2026 until May 6, 2026.

Registration applications are processed in the order in which they are received; once the class is full, registration will be closed. Applicants will be advised of acceptance into the Citizen Academy by email in January 2026.

Registration is open now, click here to apply.

Requirements to Attend

Individuals who apply for the Citizen Academy must be at least 18 years of age. They must also live in the Municipality of Anchorage, work in the Municipality of Anchorage, or own property in the Municipality. All applicants must pass a background check.

Reason to Attend

Community Oriented Policing plays an important and vital role in reducing crime. Therefore, APD instituted the Citizen Academy to improve communication and to obtain citizen input and support throughout the city. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with us in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting our community. Graduates will gain knowledge that they can implement to enhance the quality of life in their respective neighborhoods.

Subjects Taught

The following are subjects taught and may include the following:

Computer Crimes
School Resource Officers
DUI / Traffic Enforcement and Investigations
Property Crimes
Drug Investigations
Child Abuse & Sexual Assault
Domestic Violence
APD K9 Program
Mobile Intervention Team (MIT)
Homicide/Crime Scene Investigations
Firearm Safety
Dispatch (911) Telecommunications
Records
SWAT Team

Participants will gain a working knowledge of the duties and responsibilities required to be a law enforcement officer in your community.

Goals

One of the goals of the Citizen Academy, of course, is to help the residents of Anchorage better understand how policing is conducted in their community. It is hoped that all Citizen Academy graduates will learn more about the men and women who are protecting their community and learn how and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.

CITIZEN academy 26-1 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!