The West Des Moines Community Police Academy is an educational program for members of the public. Participants will gain an understanding of the "how and why" of the functions within the West Des Moines Police Department. Participants will learn from a variety of instructors about the law enforcement profession, opportunities with the police department, challenges facing law enforcement, and more. 

The West Des Moines Police Department has provided the public with an annual educational Community Police Academy since 2002; with the exception of 2021 due to COVID. The program was previously called Citizen Police Academy.

The Community Police Academy is provided in the spring, on Thursday evenings. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. (*some exceptions permitted) Participants must consent to and pass a background check.

 If you are interested in being a participant of the next West Des Moines Community Police Academy, please complete the form below.

Registration for the 2026 Class is open now! Class sessions will be Thursday evenings starting on March 26th and continuing through June 4th.