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| The Citizens Police Academy is a 13-week program designed to promote citizen interaction with Department members. Academy students discover how the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department is organized, how it interacts with other components of City government and the criminal justice system, and how the Department and the community work together to improve the quality of life.
During the semester long program, officers from individual units of SCMPD make presentations to the class which describe their role in the successful operation of the Department This provides class members with an opportunity, in an informal setting, to ask questions and share information with the officers. In addition to the various components of SCMPD, presentations are also made by:
- The Chatham County District Attorney's Office,
- Victim-Witness Assistance,
- Crime Stoppers, and
- Juvenile Court
But the program is not all classroom lecture. Class members get a chance to observe the 911 Center activity, tour the Chatham County Jail and the Department's Patrol Precincts. By far however, the highlight of the Citizens Academy is a ride along with a working beat officer on the County's streets. Classes are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM in the Squad Room of Police Headquarters at 201 Habersham Street (at the corner of Oglethorpe Avenue). The headquarters building is the oldest, original, operational police headquarters building in the country.
Graduates of the program receive a certificate of graduation from the Department, and a class photo. The program is also recognized for training credits by the Chatham/Savannah Board of Education.
Citizens Academy sessions begin during the second week of February and the second week of September. Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age,
- pass a limited background check, and
- not have been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor.
An application is attached below. Download the file and print it. You can deliver it to your local precinct or mail it to the address on the application. Applications may also be obtained by contacting Gary Taylor at (912) 921-5451. Or you may stop by Savannah-Chatham Police Headquarters, or any of the Precincts. A $10.00 registration fee must accompany the completed application. 
Volunteers in Policing
Volunteers in Policing are ordinary citizens who help build bridges between the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and the community through volunteer services. They are active in community outreach services.
How can I become a Volunteer in Policing?
Be at least 18 years of age
Attend, complete and graduate from the Citizens Police Academy
Have a willingness to volunteer your time to support SCMPD in it's efforts to improve the quality of life in Savannah.
What do you get from being a VIP?
As a volunteer in Policing you:
- Acquire a working knowledge of Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and other City organizations
- Become a part of the day-to-day routine of supervised police work
- Develop new skills and abilities
- Meet new people - make new friends
- Gain the satisfaction in knowing that you have made it easier for our police officers to do the job we as citizens expect of them.
- For more information on Volunteers in Policing contact SCpl. Edward Grant at 525-3100 Ext. 2995 To become a VIP, simply download the attached file, print it, fill it out and return it to the address on the form.
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