Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Regional Law Enforcement Agencies Partner to offer a Regional Citizen’s Police Academy

Regional law enforcement agencies, including the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, and the University of Nevada, Reno Police, are partnering 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 is scheduled to begin on April 4, 2023, and 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 Citizens 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.

Applications can be found at:  www.washoesheriff.com, www.renopd.com, www.sparkspolice.com and on the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Reno Police Department, and Sparks Police Department Facebook pages.

That link can also be found here: 2023 Regional Citizens Police Academy Application

Completed applications can be returned electronically to: Nchambers@cityofsparks.us.    

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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