The 2025 graduates of the Ocean City Citizens' Police Academy pose for a group photo. (Courtesy of Ocean City)
The Ocean City Police Department is accepting applications for the 2026 Citizens’ Police Academy.
The Citizens’ Police Academy offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the everyday life of a law enforcement officer. But it is not an application to become a police officer.
Objective:
The Ocean City Citizens’ Police Academy was organized in 2022 and offers residents and business owners the opportunity to learn about the internal operations of the Ocean City Police Department.
The overall objective of the Academy is to provide residents with sound and accurate information about the police department and the criminal justice process, so citizens are able to make informed decisions regarding issues/matters involving the police department and/or police activity.
Participants will be able to share their experiences with family, friends, co-workers and their community to further improve and strengthen community-police relations.
Course Curriculum:
Each week, a different unit or area of Ocean City Police Department is presented, such as Community Policing Unit, Traffic Safety Unit, K-9 Unit, Police Dispatch, IT Unit, Training Unit, Detectives, Administration, and Drone Unit. This year, the department will be adding two new blocks of instruction on DWI and the Cape May County SWAT Team.
Details:
Application:
Applications can be picked up in person at the Ocean City Police Department (835 Central Ave.) or downloaded here.
The Citizens’ Police Academy class size is limited. For more information, email [email protected] or call (609) 525-4252.
The Academy gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of police operations. (Courtesy of Ocean City)
