Youth Police Academy

The Champaign Police Department Youth Police Academy is an annual summer outreach program designed to provide youth in the Champaign County area a better understanding of law enforcement practices.

Open to youth aged 12-18, the Academy introduces participants to the field of law enforcement and provides an opportunity for youth and police officers to connect. Students attend a mock police academy involving lectures, role-playing, topical demonstrations, and team building exercises. The Academy includes structured activities designed to highlight the four cardinal work principles of teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem solving/conflict resolution.  Participants receive training in the areas of:

• Basic Crime Scene Investigation
• Advanced Crime Scene Investigation*
• Evidence Collection**
• Fingerprinting**
• CSI Photography**
• Traffic and Criminal Law*
• Conflict Resolution
• Specialized Units
• Use of Force Principles
• Building Searches*
• Responding to Crimes in Progress*
• Physical Agility Training
• Police-Community Relations*
• Restraint Techniques
• Radio Communication
• Criminal Investigation Procedures
• Advanced Criminal Investigation*

* Advanced Course only
**CSI Class

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Youth Police Academy was canceled in 2020-2022. The dates below are a reflection of when the academy would typically occur.

Basic Youth Police Academy: July 7 – 10, 2020, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Open to students who have completed 6th through 8th grade.

*Advanced Youth Police Academy: July 21 – 24, 2020, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Open to high school students. This session will expand upon areas previously covered in the Basic curriculum.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): August 4 – 7, 2020, 12 – 4:00 PM
Open to students who have completed 6th through 12th grade.

• To register, click here to download and complete a Youth Police Academy Application
• Applications will be accepted through April 30, or until classes fill
• Questions? Contact 217-403-6987

• All YPA classes are held at the ILEAS Training Center – 1701 E. Main Street, Urbana

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