Citizen Police Academy 2025 Spring Session:
“Bridging the Gap” February 27th - May 22nd
The Citizen Police Academy is an endeavor by the Jonesboro Police Department to educate citizens about police policies, functions, and services. The mission of the Citizen Police Academy is to give the public a working knowledge of the Jonesboro Police Department in an effort to dispel misconceptions about police officers and how police function, encourage a partnership with the community that will enable community-led problem-solving, and create an environment for positive police and community interaction. This academy does not create police officers but aims to educate citizens about the policies, procedures, and laws governing our actions. The department benefits from the academy by being afforded a better understanding of the views and concerns of our community, making us more accountable to the public we serve.
The mission of the Citizen Police Academy is to educate citizens about the policies, functions, and services of the Jonesboro Police Department to encourage a partnership with the community that will enable community-led problem-solving and “Bridge the Gap” for positive police and community interaction. The department will benefit from the academy by better understanding the views and concerns of our community, making us more accountable to the public we serve.
Since its inception in 2015, the Jonesboro Police Department Citizen Police Academy has graduated over 350 citizens from the program.
Applicants Must:
Be at least 21 years of age
Live or work in Craighead County
Have no prior felony arrests
Have had no serious misdemeanor arrests in the last two years
Commit to attending 75 percent of the classes during the session
Details
The Jonesboro Police Department Citizen Police Academy meets every Thursday night for thirteen weeks from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Classes are held at different locations depending on the material being taught.
During the Jonesboro Police Department Citizen Police Academy, you’ll learn about the Organization of the JPD, Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, Police Procedure, SWAT Operations, Crime Scene Investigation, K-9 Unit, Crime Analysis, Court Procedure, and many other topics.
For any other information or help with your application, please contact:
Sgt. Brian Arnold Kim Murdie
Citizen Police Academy Coordinator Community Outreach
(870) 336-7295 (870) 336-7137
jpd_recuiter@jonesboro.org kmurdie@jonesboro.org
Jonesboro Swap Spots
Swap Spots are designated public places where residents may exchange items that they have purchased or sold online. These are designated areas available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a sense of safety and security to those who use them in convenient areas around town. The police station even offers 24-hour video surveillance. Weapons of any kind are not allowed. Swap Spot has been made possible by Leadership Jonesboro, the Jonesboro Police Department and the Jonesboro Fire Department.
Swap Spot Locations
Jonesboro Police Headquarters- 1001 S. Caraway Rd.
Jonesboro Fire Station #1- 3215 E. Johnson Ave.
Jonesboro Fire Station #2- 1413 W. Nettleton Ave.
Jonesboro Fire Station #3- 2212 Brazos St.
Justice Complex- 410 W. Washington Ave.
Please Note: A law enforcement officer or fireman will not monitor exchanges or facilitate transactions. There is no guarantee that a Swap Spot location will provide a greater level of safety compared to other public locations but being at a police or fire station may help deter criminal activity. When using Swap Spots, be sure to park in a parking spot that is not reserved or restricted and do not block any driveways
Jonesboro DARE Program
The Jonesboro DARE Program operates slightly differently than other DARE programs across the country. They use the original DARE curriculum which is wonderful and was designed to help students learn decision making skills, how to deal with stress, peer pressure, and more! The Jonesboro Dare Officers have put their own spin on the way they interact with the students. They have tailored their instruction based on additional challenges that face students in our area. The Jonesboro Police DARE Program reaches approximately 1200 5th grade students each year, in 3 School districts (Jonesboro, Nettleton, and Valley View) and 2 private schools (Blessed Sacrament and Ridgefield Christian School).
The Jonesboro Police Department DARE Program:
A DARE officer visits each class for an hour each week for 10 weeks -
Week 1: Introduction and tell the students about the DARE Decision Making Model (Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate)
Week 2: Drug Information for Responsible Decision Making (talk about Alcohol and tobacco)
Week 3: Risks and Consequences
Week 4: Peer Pressure
Week 5: Dealing with Stressful Situations
Week 6: Basics of Communication
Week 7: Nonverbal Communication and Listening
Week 8: Bullying
Week 9: Helping Others
Week 10: Review and Test
Jonesboro DARE officers also teach a program called “Say No to This”
This program is designed to inform students about the dangers of using illicit drugs. The officers explain how to identify these drugs through the use of photos only. The officers also explain the health effects that these drugs can have on the human body.
Every student has to write an essay to graduate the DARE Program. The DARE officers read every essay and pick a classroom winner from every class. The DARE officers also award a school winner from every school and then pick an overall top essay. This award shows the comprehension of the DARE curriculum. All of the students get a certificate for graduating, and essay winners get all kinds of great prizes!
Fundraising:
DARE conducts fundraisers to raise money to purchase the shirts for students and teachers. The money is also used to purchase books and other materials such as pencils to give to students each week (close to 12,000 pencils). DARE also provides all of the graduation items for the students including Daren and other prizes.
Sgt. Brian Arnold, Recruiting and Community Outreach
Sgt Brian Arnold
Community Outreach & Recruiting Sergeant
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