Coon Rapids Police Invites Residents Inside Modern Policing Through 2026 Community Police Academy

The Coon Rapids Police Department is opening its doors to residents this winter through its 2026 Community Police Academy, a seven week program designed to deepen public understanding of law enforcement while strengthening trust and transparency between officers and the community they serve.

Based on official communications from the City of Coon Rapids, the academy begins today, Tuesday evening, January 13, and will run through February 24, 2026.

Sessions are held every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Police Department headquarters, located at 11155 Robinson Drive NW. Participation is free, but enrollment is strictly limited to 20 participants, a cap intended to preserve meaningful dialogue and hands-on engagement.

A redesigned approach to community engagement

The 2026 Community Police Academy is a modernized successor to the department’s former Citizens Academy. Rather than relying on traditional classroom lectures, the updated program emphasizes an immersive, dialogue driven format that places residents directly in conversation with officers across ranks and specialties.

Each weekly session is led by different members of the department, giving participants the opportunity to meet patrol officers, investigators, and specialized personnel while learning how the department is structured and how decisions are made in real world situations. City officials describe the academy as a cornerstone of the department’s broader efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and mutual understanding.

Inside the curriculum

Participants receive a behind the scenes look at contemporary policing through a series of core modules, including:

• Department operations, offering an overview of patrol, investigations, and specialized units.
• Use of force and de escalation, examining how officers assess risk, apply de escalation strategies, and operate within established protocols.
• Law enforcement technology, featuring demonstrations of body worn cameras, squad car systems, and forensic tools.
• Specialized units, including live K9 demonstrations focused on tracking and detection, as well as DUI enforcement demonstrations that walk participants through impairment identification and field sobriety testing.
• Mental health response, highlighting the department’s partnerships with embedded social workers and its approach to co responding during mental health crises.

One of the program’s most anticipated components is the patrol ride along, which allows participants to accompany an officer on duty and observe real time decision making in the field.

Eligibility and registration

To maintain safety and program integrity, applicants must meet several criteria:

• Age requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants ages 16 and 17 may apply with a signed parental waiver.
• Background check: All participants are required to pass a criminal background check.
• Residency preference: While not mandatory, preference is given to Coon Rapids residents, business owners, and students.
• Commitment: Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all seven sessions.

Registration for the 2026 academy opened December 1, 2025, and closed January 2, 2026, or earlier if all 20 spots were filled. In previous years, the program reached full capacity, reflecting strong community interest.

Continuing involvement beyond the academy

Graduates of the Community Police Academy are eligible to join the Community Police Academy Alumni Association, which offers ongoing opportunities for volunteerism, continued education, and sustained dialogue around public safety issues in Coon Rapids.

Residents seeking additional information are encouraged to contact Sergeant Cameron Gustafson, the program coordinator, at 763-767-7461, or visit the official City of Coon Rapids website for updates on future academy offerings.

MinneapoliMedia