The Citizens Police Academy sessions are held once a year. Sessions are 10 weeks in duration and meet on Sunday evenings mainly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The purpose of the Ball State Citizen’s Police Academy is to present an educational program in order to foster better understanding, communication, and partnerships between the Ball State Police and Ball State community. This is a chance for faculty, staff, students and Muncie community members to learn more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do.
The Ball State University police have prepared a comprehensive training program to provide citizens with an overview of the various divisions, units, and functions of the police department. The course orientation will include hiring, training, laws of arrest, patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, crime prevention, and K-9 demo. Participants will visit the Delaware County Jail, train on Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE), learn about handgun safety, and experience emergency driving demonstrations. The goal of this program is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.
The Citizens Police Academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony held at a location to be announced. Successful graduates will be awarded with a certificate of completion, a better understanding of the Ball State University Police department, and the role of law enforcement officer in today’s world. This is a great opportunity to get a firsthand look behind the scenes of the Ball State Police Department and meet other members of the community.
All Applicants will be subjected to a background check and submission of the application gives implied consent to this background check. Do not delay! Respond to Officer Justin Smith to receive your application by email today. Then, fax or email your application back. All applications must be received at Ball State Police Department by Wednesday December 8, 2021 at noon. Citizens who would like more information can contact Officer Justin Smith below.
Officer Justin Smith
Ball State University Police Department
CALEA Accreditation Manager
200 North McKinley Ave
Muncie Indiana 47306
Phone: (765) 285-3009
Fax: (765) 285-8148
Email: jusmith@bsu.edu
Each class is limited to 25 students. The class will be filled in order applications are received and approved. Applicants will be notified by email of acceptance by Friday December 17, 2021. Once the class is full, applicants will be able to apply the following year.
Classroom Rules of Conduct
Please read the following rules, which will apply to all participants and all classes during your training at the Citizens Police Academy.
The Citizens Police Academy consists of ten Sunday classes held from January 23, 2022 – April 24, 2022. Each class is 3 hours in length from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Class on Sunday February 13, 2022 will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. due to the Super Bowl. Please DO NOT arrive at the police department prior to 5:15 p.m. You must be in class at the time of roll call, 5:35 p.m. or you will be counted as absent. If you are unable to attend the class, please call or email Officer Justin Smith at (765) 285-3009 / jusmith@bsu.edu.
Should you decide to drop out of the academy, please notify Officer Justin Smith as soon as possible. We want everyone to complete the program, but we fully understand that your personal situation can change.
Attendance: You must attend at lease eight of the ten weekly classroom and training sessions in order to graduate. If you miss MORE than two classes, you will be unable to receive a completion certificate but may still attend the remaining classes. You must attend the handgun safety class prior to going to the firing range.
Dress Code: Participants must be appropriately dress for a classroom setting.
Children: Children are not allowed to attend classes with you. If you are unable to obtain a baby sitter, you will have to miss class.
Parking: Parking will be available in BSU lot C5, west of Police Department, or on the street.
Smoking: Use of all tobacco products are prohibited on university property.
Cell Phones: All cell phones must be turned off or placed in the silent mode during class. Calls should be returned during breaks or step out into the stairway.
Purpose: The academy is not intended to serve as a grievance session. You are invited to ask questions at any time you do not understand something, but please come with the intention of learning about the operation of the police department. Please do not ask questions which waste training time and take away from the overall goal of the class. There will be discussion periods at which time you can ask questions and voice your opinions. During your training, you will get a first hand look behind the scenes of how the Ball State University Police Department operates. You will make friends within the academy and department.
www.bsu.edu/police