Police Community Engagement

Community Outreach and Educating Residents

The Police Community Engagement Unit focuses on community outreach and educating residents about various topics, such as personal safety, internet safety, senior safety, etc. and offers a variety of programs including our citizen academies, crime prevention presentations, and community watches and partner programs, which include neighborhood, business and worship watches and the premiere law enforcement partner program for apartment communities. 

Police Community Engagement supports vulnerable members of our population. The Special Response Registry is a voluntary program designed to help first responders better serve community members with autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or mental or physical impairments who may need specific care during a call for service, emergency, or crisis. We also offer Project Lifesaver, which helps save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, dementia or other related disorders.

Citizen Police Academies

The Chesterfield County Police Department offer three citizen police academies: Citizens, Hispanic Community and Teen Citizens. Chesterfield County residents have the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of police practices and procedures.

Citizens Police Academy

The Chesterfield County Police Department Citizens Police Academy offers Chesterfield County residents an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of police practices and procedures. Offered several times a year, the academy enhances communications between the Police Department and the community, and provides residents involvement with the Police Department through volunteer programs.

This free academy is open to all Chesterfield County residents and/or county business owners as well as members of any community or civic organization located in Chesterfield County.

Fingerprinting at the Citizens' Police Academy

Following successful attendance, the participant will receive a certificate of completion from the Chief of Police during a graduation ceremony. 

Upcoming Academy Dates

Police thanks all who participated in our 2023 citizen academies. Dates for our 2024 citizen academies will be available in early 2024.

Apply

Complete the citizens academy application online.

For more information, email Corporal Matt Rogers or call 804-318-8549.

Eligibility Requirements

Participants must be adults and reside, own a business or belong to a civic organization within Chesterfield County.

Applicants will be screened for activities that may disqualify them from participating in the academy. This includes, but is not limited to, a criminal history check, a Division of Motor Vehicles check and a police contact check.

Topics and Activities

  • School Resource Officer 
  • Traffic
  • Forensics
  • K-9
  • Special Response Unit
  • SWAT
  • Office of Professional Standards
  • County Attorney 
  • Ride with a police officer on patrol (if desired)
  • Participate in scenarios (if desired)

Crime Prevention Programs

The Community Engagement Unit educates community members on how to anticipate, recognize and reduce crime. We do this through a variety of programs that we offer to individuals, businesses, schools, scouts and places of worship. To learn more about these programs, please call 804-318-8699. To request a program, complete the Program Request Form.

Available Programs

  • Active Shooter
  • Bicycle Safety
  • Business Robbery Prevention
  • Business/Worship Watch
  • Crime Prevention through Environment Design (CPTED)
  • Frauds and Scams
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • Personal Safety
  • Scout Program
  • Senior Programs
  • Workplace Violence

Community Engagement Newsletter

  1. Nov-Dec 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
  2. Sept-Oct 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
  3. July-August 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
  4. May-June 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
  5. Mar-Apr 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
  6. Jan-Feb 2023 Newsletter (PDF)

National Night Out - America’s Night Out Against Crime

Annually, residents in neighborhoods throughout Chesterfield County and across the nation lock their doors, turn on the outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. National Night Out is designed to:

  • Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
  • Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts
  • Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police‐community partnerships
  • Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

For questions, contact the Police Community Engagement Unit at 804-318-8699.