Registration Now Open for APD's Fall Community Police Academy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Alexandria Police Department is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Community Police Academy, offering residents and those who work in Alexandria an opportunity to gain an inside look at the department and the work officers do to serve the community.
The free nine-week program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experiences that provide participants with a deeper understanding of modern policing. Attendees will use lidar to measure vehicle speeds, meet APD's K-9 teams, tour the Special Operations Team's armored vehicle, observe a mock critical incident demonstrating the Crisis Negotiations Team's communication and de-escalation techniques, and learn about the department's mental health co-response program. Participants will also meet Chief of Police Tarrick McGuire and have opportunities throughout the academy to speak directly with officers from across the department about their roles and experiences.
Additional sessions will cover patrol operations, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, and other key areas of policing. Participants will also learn about APD's policies, organizational philosophy, and the legal and ethical principles that guide the department's work.
Sessions begin Wednesday, September 23, and conclude with a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, November 18. Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at APD Headquarters, 3600 Wheeler Avenue. Due to the Veterans Day holiday, the November 11 class will instead be held on Tuesday, November 10.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and live or work in the City of Alexandria. A criminal history check will be conducted on each applicant before final acceptance.
Space is limited, and registration closes August 31.
To learn more and apply, visit alexandriava.gov/police-department/community-police-academy.
A behind-the-scenes look at APD’s Special Operations Team armored truck! Community Police Academy participants learned how this specialized vehicle helps officers respond safely during critical incidents.
Community Police Academy participants learned how the Alexandria Co-Response Program (ACORP) pairs specially trained officers with licensed behavioral health clinicians to respond to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis, connecting them with care and resources when they need them most.
Community Police Academy participants put their skills to the test using APD’s radar equipment to check vehicle speeds and learn how officers enforce traffic laws to help keep Alexandria’s roads safe.