Teen Police Academy

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The Avondale Police Department is excited to host Teen Police Academy, July 7th - 11th, 2025!

Deadline to apply: June 1, 2025, at 5 pm

APPLY HERE: Thank you for your interested. The application process has closed for 2025.

Overview:

This exciting and unique opportunity to attend the Avondale Police Department Teen Academy Training will give Avondale youth a peek behind the curtain of a police department. Have you ever wondered what are the police officers doing on a call for service, why are there so many detectives, what K9 officers do, or why motor officers look so cool? This is an opportunity to be a part of this and get top-notch instruction from Avondale’s finest from various departments. Teens will be provided instruction on drugs investigations, fatal crashes, DUI (Driving Under the Influence), building searches, dispatchers, major crimes investigations, crime scene management, and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). Lunch will be provided.

GOAL:

The goal of the Avondale Police Department Teen Police Academy Training is to expose our youth to the various department within the Avondale Police Department. Whether you aspire to be a police officer, detective, motor officer, SWAT operator, records clerk, victim advocacy, dispatcher, secretary, or even the Chief of Police you will be exposed to the different various departments of a police department. Avondale Police Department Vision Statement is “To become the leading Arizona Law Enforcement agency by hiring and retaining professional employees who embrace our values while enhancing community partnerships.” The Teen Police Academy Training will give an overview of our 11 values which the Avondale Police Department implements daily, which strives to achieve “enhancing community partnerships”.

QUALIFICATIONS:

At the time application for attendance is submitted, the applicant must be at least 14 years of age and not more than 18 years of age. He/she must be enrolled in high school with a passing grade or graduate in 2025.

Applicant must provide his/her own transportation to and from The Avondale Police Department (11485 W. Civic Center Dr, Avondale, AZ 85323) or other-directed venue location.

NOTE: This program is centered around and geared toward students interested in law enforcement or criminal justice opportunities. All applicants must be of good moral character, with no significant and/or violent criminal activity, gang associations/affiliations, or arrest history. A background check and interview will be conducted on ALL applicants before full acceptance into this academy program to determine suitability, maturity, and eligibility. Students not exercising suitable behavior or who become disruptive during any portion of this course may be subject to termination from this program. Minor criminal infractions (e.g. shoplifting) may not automatically exclude participation. Applicants will be notified in writing of a scheduled interview time before being accepted into the academy. Applicants successfully meeting the above requirements will be notified via letter mailed to the address provided on their application if e-mail is not available to them.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE ACCEPTED:

Only 12 to 15 applicants will be accepted for this academy. This is a highly competitive and very rewarding opportunity. Please be detailed and thorough and explain why you should be selected to attend. Below are the requirements to be accepted into the program. Picture ID of both applicant and parent/legal guardian is required prior to the start of the program.

ESSAY:

A typed 250-word essay shall be completed and attached to this application before submission. Applicants must detail their reasons why they want to attend the teen academy and what they have done to prepare for it.

INSURANCE:

Applicants selected for the Avondale Police Teen Academy will have to provide proof of current medical insurance prior to the start of the program. Failure to provide proof of medical insurance, will result in removal from the program.

City of Avondale