Citizens Police Academy

Citizens Police Academy students

To help citizens better understand and support the department, Greer Police Department created the Citizens Police Academy. This 12-week pro­gram, which is free to those who enroll, offers insight into how police officers perform their duties and how the department serves the community.

The Greer Police Department adheres to a simple motto: "Policing is a Partnership." The department truly depends on the support it receives from the citizens it serves. The Citizens Police Academy fosters better communi­cation between citizens and police through education. 

Those who graduate the City of Greer Citizens Police Academy have the option to join the CPA Alumni Association, created by previous graduates of the citizens academy, allowing members to provide direct assistance to the department by volunteering. 

Program Content

The department has graduated an average of 22 students per class since the program began early in 2009. Participants in the Citizens Academy program get a crash course in such topics as: 

  • Overview of the Greer Police Department including it's structure and mission

  • Hiring, Recruiting, and Training of Police Officers

  • Specialty Units: ERT, Traffic, Crisis Negotiations Team, and K-9 Units

  • Criminal Investigations

  • Crime Analysis 

  • Community Outreach

  • Defensive tactics

  • Officer survival

  • Traffic enforcement

  • Victim assistance

They also ride with on-duty police officers, tour the detention center, and learn use of control techniques such as the use of Tasers. Greer Police Department (GPD) officers experience a Taser hit as part of their training - a scene the public rarely views.

Feedback

“The feedback we receive from those who have participated in the Citizens Police Academy is very positive,” Capt. Patrick Fortenberry said. “The sessions touch on nearly every element of policing and are an eye-opening experience for those who may be most familiar with police work from television shows. We frequently hear that class members now have a better appreciation for the work done by our department, especially education programs. Our primary goal is to prevent crime by working proactively with the community.”

Members of the department lead sessions in their area of expertise or assignment, providing an overview of how the Greer Police Department interfaces with the rest of the criminal justice system.

“This was a wonderful experience. I would do it again if I could. You get to know every aspect of the police department,” said Serena Stanton. “I was really amazed at the camaraderie of all the police officers. They work together so well and it’s like one big family.”

Community Policing

With the Greer department’s emphasis on community policing, the Citizens Police Academy was a natural program for the department. It has also helped spur civic pride in those who participate in the class.

“I’ve always been interested in police work - especially the canines because I work in an animal hospital. That was exciting. It was very interesting to learn what members of the department do and how they protect us,” said Nancy Newbigging. “It’s made me want to become more involved in the community. I want to volunteer and just see what I can do.”

Additional Information

For more information and a list of upcoming sessions, email us. The Spring 2024 Citizens Police Academy will operate from February 1, 2024, until April 18, 2024.

Application

Submit completed forms (PDF) to:
City of Greer Police Department
102 S Main Street
Greer, SC 29650

Documents

  1. Citizens Police Academy Application Form (PDF)

  2. Citizens Police Academy Brochure

  3. Citizens Academy Spring 2024 Syllabus