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VENTURA — The Ventura Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Academy, a free program for 30 Ventura residents and business owners. Participants will gain an inside look at local policing through interactive classes, ride-alongs, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Applications are open through Friday, July 4, 2025.
Each year, the academy provides participants the opportunity to learn firsthand about the diverse operations of the Ventura Police Department. The program features a variety of topics, including patrol operations, investigations, crisis negotiations, K9 deployment, DUI checkpoints, and community outreach initiatives. Each night features a new topic with different speakers, demonstrations, and discussions.
“The success of any police department relies on the collaboration and trust it builds with its community,” said Police Chief David Dickey. “Our goal with the Community Academy is to demystify local law enforcement practices, further increasing transparency and fostering stronger partnerships. When we work together, we make Ventura a safer place to live, work, and play.”
The Community Academy is set to begin on August 27, 2025, and will be held on 10 consecutive Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., with a final class and graduation on October 29, 2025. Eight classes will be held at the Ventura Police Department, with the sessions on September 24 and October 1, hosted at the Ventura County Criminal Justice Training Center and the Ventura County Jail.
To be eligible for the Ventura Police Community Academy, applicants must:
- Be a minimum of 18 years old
- Live or own a business in the city of Ventura
- Pass a criminal background check with no misdemeanor convictions in the past two years and no felony convictions
- Commit to attending all classes
Participants will be selected through an application process, with in-person interviews scheduled in July.
To learn more or apply for the 2025 Community Academy, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CommunityAcademy