Citizen Academy

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Helena Police Department's Citizen Academy is an eight-week program for residents of the Helena area who are 18 and older. The program is designed to teach civilians about various aspects of law enforcement in the context of the criminal justice system. Most importantly, the Helena Police Department wants to continue to enhance the collaboration and partnership between the community and its Police Department. By allowing citizens a firsthand look at the Police Department and how its operations are handled, citizens take away a better understanding of the law enforcement role in the community and produce informed citizens. 

The Citizen Academy is designed to be interactive and involves lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, and an environment for open discussion. Topics include, but not limited to, the following: patrol operations, DUI enforcement, crime scene investigation, K9 demonstration, SWAT operations, and dispatch operations.

Academy classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The sessions are conducted by our own HPD Officers and staff.  

Fill out an application here: Citizen Academy Application(PDF, 218KB) and either email it to Erin at efitzpatrick@helenamt.gov, mail it to Erin at 406 Fuller Ave, Helena MT, 59601, or drop it off at the department.

Hope to see you there!

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Please note that class size is limited and that this is not training to become a sworn officer. 

Application Process:

Any interested parties will submit an application to the Program Coordinator before session start date. 

  • Signing the application grants the Program Coordinator permission to conduct a criminal history check on the applicant.  

Approximately two to three weeks before the session starts, the Program Coordinator will send email notifications to the applicant with the status of their application and directions for attendance if applicable. 

Participant Qualifications:

All applicants are subject to a criminal background investigation based on the following criteria: 

  • 18 years of age or older (anyone under the age of 18, should consider HPD's Explorer's Academy found here),
  • No conviction of a felony, any crime of a sexual nature or against children, any crime related to assault or violence, any crime related to dishonesty, or any crime related to impersonating a law enforcement officer,
  • No conviction of a misdemeanor within the past year excluding misdemeanor traffic offenses, 
  • No pending criminal cases, and
  • No wants and/or warrants as validated by a criminal history check to include a local records check, a Montana Department of Justice Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) check, and a national records check. 
  • The Chief of Police may allow exceptions to these eligibility requirements bases on the qualifications of the individual. 
  • Participation in the program can be terminated at any time for any reason at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. 

Contact:

Erin Fitzpatrick

Program Coordinator

(406) 457-8839

efitzpatrick@helenamt.gov

2026 Session Schedule:

August 25, 2026

  • Introductions
  • Department Overview
  • Dispatch Overview

September 1, 2026

  • K9 Demonstration
  • Traffic Stops

September 8, 2026

  • SWAT

September 15, 2026

  • Use of Force
  • Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT)

September 22, 2026

  • Active Shooter

September 29, 2026

  • Criminal Investigations Division Case Study
  • Evidence Overview

October 6, 2026

  • DUI Investigation
  • Special Topic(s)

October 13, 2026

  • Scenarios – Crime Scene Investigation, Traffic Stops, Active Shooter
  • Graduation

 

*Schedule is subject to change

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