Week One: Introduction/Chief's Welcome
The Police Chief will welcome you to the department and introduce his command staff. The training staff will provide you with an overview of the “Citizens’ Police Academy” and explain the program’s rules and regulations.
 
Week Two: Patrol Division / Public Safety Communications Unit
The Patrol Division is the backbone of the police department. All the officers you see patrolling in uniform are assigned to this division. Find out how officers are assigned to the different sections of the City and who is responsible for the area in which you live or work. Learn how “Crime Analysis” meetings affect the deployment of resources to combat crime and quality of life issues.
Find out how calls for service are taken and routed to the officers on the street. Learn about C.A.D. (Computer Aided Dispatch.) Why does it take so long for an officer to respond to some calls for service? How does the 911 system work? Listen to tapes of actual calls for help! Hear a police shooting in progress! Get a tour of our 911 system.
 
 
 
Week Three: Crime Scene Investigation
This class deals with the Crime Scene Unit. Without the diligent efforts of this highly trained unit, the evidence necessary to convict the criminal is lost. See some of their painstaking techniques demonstrated in class. This profession is not for the faint of heart.
 
 
Week Four: Internal Affairs / “Officer Memorial”
What does it take to investigate your own? How are complaints against officers handled? The A.M.A. investigates its own doctors; the Bar investigates its own lawyers; and Internal Affairs investigates its own cops! Think about it, the reason some cops are arrested is because we have the Pride, Integrity and Guts to clean up our own house.
Officer Memorial. Every year, on the average, 150 law enforcement officers are killed in the line of duty in the United States. The Miami Beach Police Department and other police departments in the county have lost their share. This class is dedicated to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Week Five: Use of Weapons / Police Firearms Training
What does it take to make a split second, life or death decision? Find out how the police are trained using paint pellets (simunition), pepper spray, and the Taser. During this phase of the training, you will have the opportunity to fire live rounds in our indoor range. Want to know what pepper spray feels like? Free samples are waiting!
 
 
 
Week Six: Officer Survival - High Risk Encounters
It’s late at night and you spot a suspicious person lurking around a residential neighborhood. You’re patrolling and decide to make a stop. He gets aggressive and is not obeying your commands! He makes a move as if going for a weapon! What do you do? There’s only one way to find out. Tonight we put you in our shoes and let the scenario unfold.
 
Week Seven: K-9 Unit/ Marine Patrol
Meet the two and four legged officers of the K-9 Unit. All our canines are trained to search for people, but some have been specially trained to search for drugs and some for bombs. We all know about the drugs, but why bombs? Is there a problem? The answer might surprise you.
Today’s class will be a field trip to our Marine Patrol Unit. Here you will have an opportunity to check out our department’s “Navy.” Learn what resources this unit has to patrol “our island.” Biscayne Bay, canals, waterways and the Atlantic Ocean are all a part of our beat. Our dive team has participated in the recovery of large quantities of drugs sealed in watertight containers and welded to the bottom of cruise ships.
 
 
 
 
Week Eight: Tactical & Pursuit Driving
What skill level does it take to chase a suspect escaping at a high rate of speed through our City streets? When do we make the decision to chase, and what criteria do we use in the formation of that potential life threatening decision? Our driving instructors will take you around the track and demonstrate a few of the techniques taught to new recruits and veteran officers. Pay close attention, they may save your life!
 
 
 
 
 
Week Nine: Gang Investigations Unit/Strategic Investigations Unit (S.I.U.)
We cannot show you photos of the Gang Unit. But we will give you a full briefing on gangs in Miami/Dade County. Consider this a confidential report, plus a lesson in how to spot gangs, gang activity and how to protect yourself from gangs.
Our Strategic Investigations Unit will brief you on drug sweeps, sting operations, undercover life on the streets and how to spot "the bad guys".
 
Week Ten: Background Investigations /Specialized Units
Learn the exhaustive background process necessary just to be given the opportunity to attend the real police academy.
Meet some of the men and women assigned to our specialized units. These include Bicycle Officers, Motorcycle Officers, and ATVs. When and where are they assigned? Find out.
 
 
 
Week Eleven: Homicide Investigation / Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT)
What does it take to investigate your own? How are complaints against officers handled? find out just how vigorous the standards of conduct are for the Beach Police and how they enforce this. A crash course in Ethics and Professionalism.
We also reveal a very sobering presentation of Beach Officers shot in the line of duty, complete with actual 911 calls, photographs and video. We provide detailed analysis of what happened, why and what steps have been implemented so these incidents never happen again.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Week Twelve: Critique and Graduation Party
Congratulations! You have completed the course and will be awarded a certificate and Citizens’ Police Academy lapel pin. You are now a member of our Alumni Association. Please invite your family and friends to share in this ceremony with you.
The CPA Alumni Association will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and will have t-shirts and other items for sale. We certainly hope that you enjoyed and benefited from the experience as much as we did.
 
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