C.H.A.T. :: CITIZENS OF HAWTHORNE ACTION TEAM

Hawthorne Police Department
Citizens Academy

The Hawthorne Police Department Citizens' Academy will provide community members with an inside look at the Police Department and all facets of law enforecement.

During the academy students will be introduced to a variety of topics such as identity theft, use of force, criminal law, investigations, patrol procedures, communications, gangs, drug enforcement, firearms and tactics simulator and drug education.

As part of the curriculum, students will be scheduled to ride along with a police officer.

• Purpose: The Citizens' Academy will give community members an overview of the police department policies & procedures. The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but the weekly sessions are not designed to make the aprticipant a police officer.
• Instructors: Police executives and veteran officers teach academy classes. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Police and staff members. They are encouraged to ask questions and to express their concerns to police employees. They are encouraged to ask questions and to express their concerns to police employees. The Hawthorne Police Department hopes there will be a greater awareness and understanding of law enforecement's role in the community through the educatino provided by the Citizens' Academy.
• Selection Procedure: The Chief, through an application process, selects Citizens' Academy participants. Enrollment is limited to approximately 25 students per academy class. For more information, please call the Hawthorne Police Department's Community Affairs Unit at (310) 349-2822
• Requirements: Candidates for the Citizens' Academy must meet the following criteria:
  • Minimun age of 21 years
  • Live or work in Hawthorne
  • No prior felony convictions
  • No misdemeanor arrests within one year of application
  • The Chief of Police may waive any of the requriements
• Partial Curriculum: Criminal Investigations, Identity Theft, Sex Offernders, Traffic Operations, Criminal Laws, Patrol Deployment, CSI, Narcotics, Gangs, Citizen Complaints, Use of Force & Pursuit Driving, School Resource Officer, Anti-Terrorism efforts, Specialized Units (K9, SWAT), and Communications Center


• Sign up at: Hawthorne Police Department
  12501 S. Hawthorne Blvd. (corner of Hawthorne Blvd. and Broadway)
  Business Phone (310) 349-2700