Sheriff's Office

Regional Citizen Police Academy

Annually, regional law enforcement agencies, including the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the University of Nevada, Reno Police, partner to offer an exciting and intensive ten-week Regional Citizen’s Police Academy that provides unique insight into the day-to-day duties of law enforcement officers.

We invite and encourage any area resident interested in learning how law enforcement officers perform their duty and work to protect the community to apply. 

The Academy will include tours of local law enforcement facilities along with demonstrations about police operations and tactics. In addition, classes will discuss the many divisions that make up a police agency, such as Detective, Regional Gang Unit, Bomb Squad, SWAT, K-9, and Crisis Incident Negotiation Teams. 

Several of the classes will involve hands-on activities such as emergency vehicle operations, participating in firearms training, conducting building searches, and participating in simulated training exercises.

The Regional Citizen Police Academy is free of charge and open to all qualified applicants. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to attend and a resident of Washoe County. Applicants will be required to pass a background check.   

Class size is limited, and students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information, contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at: Sheriff-Citizen@washoecounty.gov

 2024 Regional Citizen Police Academy 

• October 1 - December 10, 2024
• Meet Every Tuesday 6pm-9pm &
• Two Saturdays 8am-5pm
• Various Locations

Join the WAITLIST here. The 2024 program is now full.