Citizen Police Academy
The Des Moines Police Department initiated the Citizens Police Academy in 1992 to enhance the relationship between the Police Department and the Community it serves. Since then, dozens of citizens have taken advantage of the opportunity to become more familiar with the operations of the Department and develop a clear understanding of a police officer's duties and responsibilities.
Participants are given the opportunity to experience many aspects of actual police training. Instruction is provided by certified police officers, police supervisors and civilian instructors who are experts in their fields. Some examples of topics covered during the Citizens Police Academy are:
Community Policing
Crime Prevention
Crimes Scene Analysis & Investigation
Domestic Violence / Victim Services
K-9 Program
School Resource Officer's
Traffic Enforcement and Tactical Operations
The Citizens Police Academy will meet once a week, in the evening, over a period of nine weeks.
Graduates of the Citizen Police Academy are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with the community as the opportunity arises.
DMPD Personnel and Training Section staff members are available to answer questions concerning the application process and enrollment in the Citizen Police Academy. Contact us by Email or by calling (515) 323-8350 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
If interested in participating in a Citizen Police Academy, an application may be downloaded, completed and mailed to the Des Moines Regional Police Academy, Personnel and Training Section, 433 E Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa.
Loved Ones Safe and Together (L.O.S.T.) Program
The Des Moines Police Department, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Iowa Chapter, is proud to announce the creation of a new law enforcement program aimed at helping reunite individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s (or any other medical condition which affects memory) who becomes separated from their families. The program is called L.O.S.T. which stands for Loved Ones Safe and Together.
So often individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other medical condition which involves memory loss or confusion will wander away from their home and police officers are called to assist in locating them. In addition, officers occasionally come across individuals who are lost but for whatever reason, have not been reported as such. The L.O.S.T. program consists of a computer database that is stored at the Police Department. It contains information about the person such as name, address, physical description, birth date, ect. It also contains information about the potential activities of the person, where they may be heading or where they have been found before when lost and what symptoms they may exhibit when located by the police officer. The database contains provisions for a photograph of the individual which can be sent directly to searching officers via in-car computer systems as well as the media, should they be notified to assist in finding the person. The database can be upgraded as new information or changes occur with the person.
There is no cost to participate in this program. For further information or to enroll in the L.O.S.T. program simply contact the Des Moines Police Department Detective Bureau at (515) 283-4864. An information form will be sent to you along with a stamped envelope for its return to the Police Department. In addition to the completed information form, we ask that you include a recent photograph of your loved one. If you do not have a photograph, arrangements will be made for an officer to come to your home to take a photograph for the database.
The L.O.S.T. Program is an innovative way to assist police in locating and identifying persons affected by medical conditions which could result in them becoming lost. We encourage you to participate in this pro-active program for the sake of your loved ones.
Safety City
Safety City is a community based project that provides early safety education for children entering kindergarten. It’s held for one week every summer at River Woods Elementary School. There are two half-day sessions with room for 25 children in each session.
During Safety City the school gymnasium is converted into a miniature city complete with police and fire stations, a Lowe’s store, a Rotary Club, a post office and a Carpenters’ Union Hall. Streets and crosswalks are marked out and miniature street signs (stop, yield, one-way, pedestrian crossing, etc.) are posted. The children learn about safety in a classroom setting and then put their skills to use riding tricycles and walking as pedestrians through the miniature city.
During the last half hour on Friday, a graduation ceremony is held. Parents, family members and friends, as well as program contributors, are invited to attend. Recognition is given to all of the businesses, civic groups, individuals and other organizations whose contributions help make the program possible. A slide show of the week’s activities is shown, which everyone – especially the kids – enjoys!
For more information on Safety City call Kelly Fisher at (515) 237-1545.
9-1-1 for Kids
The Communications Section has been able to obtain funding through grants that enable dispatchers to provide training on when and how to call 9-1-1 to kindergarten, first and second grade students in the Des Moines area using a program called 9-1-1 for Kids. This program has been very well received by educators and children alike and gives dispatchers an opportunity to provide children with the skills they need so should the need ever arise they will know how to call for emergency assistance.
For more information on 9-1-1 for Kids call the Communications Section Administrator at (515) 237-1529.