Each year beginning in mid February, the Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association sponsors the "Citizen Police Academy." The nine week academy meets one night per week from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. The classes are open to any resident of Cape May County.

The Citizen Police Academy is taught by various Chiefs of Police from Cape May County, Cape May County Sheriff James Plousis, Cape May County Prosecutor David Blaker and the Director of the Cape May County Police Academy.

The purpose of the Citizen Policce academy is to give the average citizen a total understanding of the law enforcement profession and to listen to comments from the citizens to help improve the law enforcement in Cape May County.

Topics include; Budget and Manpower, the Criminal Justice System, Criminal and Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence, Use of Force, Motor Vehicle Laws, Internal Affairs Complaints and Investigations, Community Policing, and use of K-9 in law enforcement.

One of the best evenings is the evening entitled "Putting it all Together" where the citizen through use of advanced interactive computer technology makes the everyday decisions a police officer must make. This is a real eye opener and generally spurs comments and understandings from both sides.

Cape May County Freeholder Vice Director Ralph E. Sheets, Jr. who is the Director of the Cape May County Department of Public Safety and Chief of Police Thomas Sinsheimer President of the Cape May County Chiefs of Police Association present academy certificates and a police academy hat to all graduating citizens. For further information or to enroll in this program, contact the academy at 609-465-1134 or email us at comments@cmcpoliceacademy.com.

The Cape May County Police Academy sponsors a Youth Police Academy that is open to young persons ages 13-17 who are interested in a career in law enforcement or just want to have an understanding of what police officers do. The program receives financial support from the local Policeman Benevolent Associations and the local Fraternal Order of Police along with the Chief of Police Associations.

This one week academy is an over night camp where young persons stay in the police dormitory where the recruits live while attending the basic police academy. The Youth Academy includes instruction and practical exercises in the Criminal Justice System, Patrol, CPR certification, American Red Cross Water Rescue, physical fitness, military drill, self-defense,and how to study for exams.

Through the use of advanced computer interactive programing, the youths attending experiance and must make real life decisions that police officers make every day. Additionally there is a firearms ballistic demonstration, SWAT Team demonstration and firearms safety lecture. Each year a field trip is plan to a location of law enforcement interest. Hopefully this year will be the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

All youths successfully completing the program receive certificates from the academy. Each attendee is given tee-shirts and a police academy hat. For further information, call the academy at 609-465-1134 or email us at comments@cmcpoliceacademy.com. Enrollment is limited so enroll early.