Register now for Oak Park Police Department Citizen Police Academy
Published on October 01, 2026
Residents looking to gain a comprehensive perspective of the Oak Park Police Department (OPPD) are invited to register for the upcoming Citizen Police Academy. The program is designed to further strengthen OPPD’s community-based policing philosophy that relies on resident involvement and input.
Beginning on Oct. 14 and held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. through Nov. 18, the Citizen Police Academy will feature a series of classes and interactive discussion on protocols and issues in police. All sessions will be held at Village Hall (123 Madison St.). Please note there will be no session held on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
“We know that community-based policing is most effective when it’s part of a two-conversation and our Citizen Police Academy is another way for us to invite that dialogue” said Police Chief Shatonya Johnson. “This program will be designed to give residents a firsthand look at how the department operates, the decisions our officers make and the daily challenges we face. For the police, it will give us greater insight into the needs and expectations of the community. Building trust requires engagement and we’re excited to open our doors even more.”
The Citizen Police Academy will cover patrol operations, mental health response, investigations and evidence collection, crime analysis, community policing, department structure and more.
To ensure that the experience is interactive and personal, enrollment for the Citizen Police Academy will be open to a limited number of participants who are at least 18 years old and reside or work in Oak Park. This format allows officers and staff to engage more directly with attendees in the most meaningful way possible.
Registration is now open. For more information and to apply, please visit www.oak-park.us/CPA or complete the form below. The deadline to apply for this Citizen Police Academy is Oct. 9.
For more information about the Oak Park Police Department, please visit www.oak-park.us/police or contact OPPD at 708.383.3800 or police@oak-park.us.
Click here to view form.
About the Oak Park Police Department - The Oak Park Police Department (OPPD) serves the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, and is committed to protecting life and property, preventing crime and enforcing the law with professionalism, integrity, and respect for the community. OPPD embraces a community-based policing philosophy that emphasizes collaboration, transparency and resident involvement in identifying and addressing public safety priorities. For more information, visit www.oak-park.us/police.
About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.