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South Fayette to launch Citizens Police Academy
South Fayette to launch Citizens Police Academy
Program will take residents behind the scenes with police department
By Andrea Iglar
Do you have an interest in police procedures and the criminal justice process?
Are you curious about the inner workings of the South Fayette Township Police Department?
Soon, you will be able to gain an in-depth view of local police operations by attending the township’s first Citizens Police Academy.
Police Chief John Phoennik is launching the annual program to equip citizens with accurate information about the police department and to foster community-police relations.
“The program will give participants insight into our jobs and further strengthen the relationship between officers and community members,” he said.
The eight-week educational program for adults will cover a different discipline or area of police operations each week.
Some topics (subject to change) may include crime scene investigations, first aid, K9 units, active shooter response and virtual training technology.
The citizens academy will be held at 7 p.m. each Tuesday, from March 11 to April 29, 2025, in the newly built South Fayette Township Municipal Center.
The program includes a tour of the new police station.
“It’s always been an aspiration of mine to start a citizens police academy, and with the new facility and station, we can now launch this in a more professional manner,” Phoennik said.
The chief said the program eventually could expand to offer a children’s academy that would focus on bike safety, stranger danger and other safety topics.
For now, participants must be residents of South Fayette Township who are at least 21 years old.
Class size is limited to 25 people. Interested residents must complete an application and pass a background review.
Residents may apply for the academy between Nov. 4 and Feb. 10, with approved applicants notified by Feb. 14.
The enrollment fee is $25 a person and includes a T-shirt, refreshments and graduation certificate. A financial hardship waiver is available.
Participants must attend at least six of the eight classes to graduate.
Phoennik said the citizens academy will give residents the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of police operations.
“It’s helpful for citizens to understand why police officers do certain things, or need to do things in a certain way,” he said.
