Applications are being accepted for Gastonia Police Department's Citizens Academy, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025. The Citizens Academy focuses on Gastonia Police operations. Law enforcement is a profession that is continually changing and evolving, and the academy enables citizens to experience conditions similar to those that police officers go through in their training and on the job.
Participants meet from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday through March18th, 2025. Training topics include segments on the department’s K-9 unit, SWAT Team, the Identification Bureau (crime scene investigations), Patrol Officer techniques, Crime Prevention programs and many other components of the police department.
Academy participants must be 18 years of age or older, and be subject to a background check. There is no fee for the academy – just a commitment to attend all the classes. All classes must be completed to be eligible for graduation. Space is limited to 20 participants. Applications are being accepted until the class is full or the deadline date of January 10th, 2025.
Printable application: Citizen's Police Academy Application 2025. After completing the application, email it to Christian.Clinch@GastoniaNC.gov or mail it to Officer Clinch, Gastonia Police Department, P.O. Box 1748, Gastonia, NC, 28053. For more information, you may call Officer Clinch at (704) 648-2671.
