Our Story
The Wooster Citizen’s Police Academy began in 2014 to give members of the community an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the work performed by the Wooster Police Department and the challenges faced by law enforcement officers.
Graduates wanted a way to remain involved and continue supporting the department and their community after completing the academy.
In 2016, the Wooster Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association (WCPAAA) was established.
Today, approximately 150 graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy make up the alumni community. WCPAAA gives those graduates an opportunity to continue what began in the academy by supporting the Wooster Police Department through volunteering, fundraising and community outreach.
Inside the Citizens Police Academy
See how the academy gives Wooster residents a firsthand look at law enforcement and helps build greater understanding between officers and the community.
The Mission
The association is dedicated to strengthening the partnership and understanding between the citizens of Wooster and the Wooster Police Department by assisting the Wooster Police Department in community-sponsored activities and by acting as a resource to the Wooster Police Department.
Membership
Membership in WCPAAA is open to graduates of the Wooster Citizen’s Police Academy.
Members are encouraged to remain involved by volunteering at community events, supporting fundraising efforts and helping with programs that benefit the Wooster Police Department and the community it serves.
Supporting the People Behind the Badge
The demands of law enforcement don’t end when an officer’s shift is over. Officers and their families experience challenges that most of us never see. Hear from members of the WCPAAA community about why knowing their community stands behind them can make a meaningful difference.
FROM UNDERSTANDING TO ACTION
The Experience Doesn’t End at Graduation
Completing the Wooster Citizens Police Academy gives participants more than a firsthand look at law enforcement. It creates a greater understanding of the officers who serve Wooster, the responsibilities they carry and the challenges faced by them and their families.
For many graduates, that experience also creates a desire to stay involved. WCPAAA provides an opportunity to build on the relationships formed during the academy and turn that new understanding into continued service.
Through volunteerism, community outreach and support for the Wooster Police Department, academy graduates can remain connected while helping strengthen the relationship between officers and the community.
Putting Our Mission Into Action
WCPAAA supports the Wooster Police Department in ways both large and small. From providing resources for officers to volunteering at community events, our members turn their appreciation for the department into action.
Officer Support
WCPAAA helps provide equipment and resources that support Wooster Police officers in their daily duties. This includes an e-bike donated to the department, giving officers greater mobility and another way to patrol neighborhoods, interact with residents, and strengthen connections throughout the community.
Training Support
Training is an important part of keeping officers prepared to serve the community. WCPAAA supports department training activities by providing meals and other assistance, allowing officers and staff to focus on the training taking place.
Community Outreach
WCPAAA members volunteer alongside the Wooster Police Department at events that bring officers and residents together. These activities create opportunities for positive interaction, conversation and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community.
Youth Programs
Connecting officers with young people helps build familiarity and positive relationships at an early age. WCPAAA supports family and youth activities such as Reading Under the Lights, Fishing Derby, & the Bicycle Rodeo where children can interact with officers in a relaxed community setting.
Holiday Support
WCPAAA helps make the holidays a little brighter for both officers and the community. Members provide meals for officers working during the holidays and participate in Stuff the Cruiser, which collects toys to help local children and families during the holiday season.
Community Appreciation
WCPAAA helps create opportunities for residents to show their appreciation for the officers who serve Wooster. Through initiatives such as Back the Blue, community members can visibly demonstrate their support and remind officers and their families that their service is recognized and valued.
Continue Your Involvement
Graduating from the Wooster Citizens Police Academy doesn’t have to be the end of the experience. WCPAAA gives academy graduates an opportunity to stay connected, serve alongside fellow alumni and continue supporting the officers, families and community they’ve come to better understand. Your involvement can help carry that mission forward.
