FAQs • Mitchell, SD • CivicEngage

What is a Citizen's Academy?: The Citizen's Police Academy is your opportunity to learn more about how the Mitchell Police Department operates. The Citizen's Police Academy is a group of Mitchell area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their Police Department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. Participants in each session commit to meeting for 3 hours 1 night per week, for 10 weeks, to learn about each aspect of the department. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

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Citizen's Police Academy

1. What is a Citizen's Academy?: The Citizen's Police Academy is your opportunity to learn more about how the Mitchell Police Department operates. The Citizen's Police Academy is a group of Mitchell area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their Police Department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. Participants in each session commit to meeting for 3 hours 1 night per week, for 10 weeks, to learn about each aspect of the department. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

2. What is the purpose of the Academy?: The purpose of the Mitchell Police Citizens' Academy is to develop positive relations between the police and community through education. The goals are to create a growing group of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential of influencing the public opinions about police practices and services. Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problems and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

3. Who instructs the Academy?: Instructors are officers and personnel from the department who speak on their areas of expertise, as well as specialized guest speakers. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

4. How are participants selected?: Participants must be 18 years of age or older. They must be a resident of the City of Mitchell, or a business owner in the area or otherwise have a vested interest in the community. Participants will be chosen at the discretion of the Crime Prevention Unit and Chief of Police after backgrounds and references have been checked. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

5. What subjects are covered?: - DWI, Drug Task Force, K-9
- Communications Division
- Criminal Investigations
- Department Tour
- Firearms Policies/Use of Force
- Motor Vehicle Enforcement
- Patrol Division
- Recruitment and Training
- Search and Seizure/Laws of Arrest
- Special Operations

Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

6. What does it cost?: There is no cost to attend the Citizen's Academy. Please call 605-995-8400 for more information.

7. How do I apply?: Contact the Mitchell Police to pick up an application at 201 West 1st or call 605-995-8400 for more information.

Another option is to download the Citizen's Academy Application and mail it to:
201 W 1st
Mitchell, SD 57301
Attn: Sgt. Mike Koster

Citizens Academy class size is limited to the first 20 approved applicants. Access the Online Citizen's Academy Application.