Citizen Police Academy

The Cary Citizen Police Academy is a ten-week course, designed to be informative and interactive. Classes will be held on Thursday Evenings, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Cary Municipal Center, 755 Georgetown Drive, starting in the fall of each year. 

Participants will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Police Department’s function within our community, and the challenges our members face on a daily basis. Classes cover a broad range of topics, including Patrol Function, Use of Force, D.U.I., Drugs & Gangs, K9, County Jail, Basic Firearms Instruction at the department range, Investigations, police use of force scenario simulator and more! All participants will tour the new Cary Municipal Center and have the opportunity to take part in a police ride along. Graduates are invited to join the CPA Alumni Association and assist with Village events. If you are interested in this program, please fill out this application form (PDF) and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

This is a FREE program. A background check is required for all applicants. Due to the limited number of class space, applications will be considered in the order they are received. You will be notified once the selection process has taken place. The first twenty (20) applicants who successfully complete the application and background process will be accepted to participate in the program. A minimum number (10) of participants are necessary to present this training opportunity. 

Police Explorers

The Cary Police Department is proud to participate in the Boy Scouts of America's "Law Enforcement Explorer Program." Since 1981, the Police Department has sponsored Explorer Post No. 2255. The members of the Explorers Post are young adults who aspire to careers in law enforcement.  Any young adult who meets these requirements is welcome to apply.

Training

Police Officer Advisors train and give guidance to the Explorers Program in all non-hazardous functions of the Cary Police Department. The Advisors generously donate their time, attending meetings at the Police Station biweekly on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Advisors also assist in the training and planning of future activities. Experienced Police Officers provide training in a variety of police related skills, such as traffic crash investigation, criminal investigations, domestic disputes, processing crime scenes, building searches and arrest techniques.

In addition to classroom training, Explorers will ride in a squad car with a full-time Police Officer who will mentor them so they can learn various police functions and assist the Police Officer in non-hazardous situations. Explorers also have the opportunity to perform the Power Test and Physical Ability Test, which will prepare them for future testing to become a police officer.

Benefits

The relationship between the Cary Police Department and the Explorers Program directly benefits both the community and the individual Explorer.

The community benefits through the hard work and volunteer activities of the Explorers Program, as they provide a variety of public services. Explorers assist Police Officers during the Village's annual "Merry Cary Holiday Festival", "National Night Out" and other community events. The Explorer's participation and training benefits them by providing an excellent foundation for careers in law enforcement and enables them to become more responsible citizens. Several former Post Members have gone on to become police officers. The Cary Explorer Post continues to evolve, making it an even more valuable asset to both the members of the program and the community.

Requirements

• Between the ages of 14 - 21 years old (14 is acceptable only if you have graduated from eighth grade)
• Have good moral character
• Remain in school while in the program or until graduation
• Maintain a "C" grade average (70%) or higher
• No serious police records or excessive moving violations
• Able to attend biweekly Explorer meetings
• Willing to volunteer your time to attend Explorer functions
• Willing to commit to the Explorer Code and exemplify the professional image of the Cary Police Department

Law Enforcement Explorer Program Informational Flyer (PDF)

Law Enforcement Explorer Program Application (PDF)

National Night Out

The Cary Police Department participates in the annual National Night Out program, which is centered on building police and community partnerships. This event occurs each year during the first week of August. Over 15,000 communities in all 50 states participate in this event annually. For more information on National Night Out, visit the Cary National Night Out website. or call the Cary Police Department at (847) 639-2341.