Citizens Academy

The Waukee Police Department's Citizens Academy is a 27-hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the practices, policies and procedures governing the Waukee Police Department. The academy consists of 9 three-hour sessions conducted on a weekly basis. Sessions incorporate an interactive format to provide participants with a hands-on experience whenever practical. Instructors are certified police officers, supervisors, and other personnel with expertise in various areas.

2026 Academy:

The program runs March 5 through April 30. Classes will be held Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and will continue during spring break.

Thank you for your interest! Our 2026 class is full. Please check back in January 2027 for the next session.

Questions? Call 515-978-7979.

Topics covered include:

  1. History of the Waukee Police Department
  2. Police professional standards and ethics
  3. Police patrol tactics
  4. Criminal law
  5. Community policing
  6. School Resource Officer (SRO) program and juvenile crime
  7. Interview/interrogation process
  8. Crime scene and evidence
  9. Narcotic investigations and search warrants
  10. Traffic stops/felony stops
  11. Search warrant services and building searches
  12. Use of force
  13. Defensive tactics
  14. ASP/Tazer
  15. OWI investigations
  16. Drug influence evaluation
  17. Emergency communications-Dallas County Dispatch
  18. Domestic violence
An officer and resident practicing performing a field sobriety test during Citizens Academy.