Go Behind the Scenes in the Police Citizens Academy

Published on October 06, 2025

Update 11/18/25: Registration has closed. Stay tuned for information on future sessions!

Registration is open for the Medford Police Department's 2026 Citizens Academy. The 12-week program will kick-off on January 8, 2026, with sessions held on Thursday evenings.

Members of the MPD will lead a mix of classroom presentations and hands on activities designed to provide participants an inside look at the department and the local criminal justice system. Course topics include:

General Administration and Philosophy of Services
Criminal Investigation and Prosecution of Cases
Patrol and Traffic Operations
Recruitment, Selection, and Training of Police Personnel
Use of Force and Personnel Issues
Deployment and Tactics of the Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team
Canine Program
Drug Enforcement and Gang Suppression Issues

Program Details:

Dates: January 8, 2026, thru March 26, 2026
Times: Every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Medford Police Department Prescott Community Room (219 S. Ivy Street Medford, Oregon)

How to Apply:

Interested persons are invited to obtain an application from the Medford Police Records Division or through the link below. Participants must meet the following requirements:

18 years of age or older by class start date
Reside or work in the City of Medford
Pass a criminal background check (no felony convictions, no misdemeanor arrests within 12 months prior to class, and no pending criminal case(s)). A background and screening process is conducted due to the content and nature of the classes being given.
You must also submit the hold harmless agreement and student agreement form(s) with your application to be considered. If all the required forms are not submitted, your application will not be considered.

The deadline for submitting completed applications is Saturday, November 15, 2025, unless the class fills prior to this date. Applications will be taken on a first come-first, served basis, and applicants will be notified when their background check is completed. Class size is limited to the first 30 approved and qualified applicants.

Please keep in mind that while we strongly encourage those interested in a law enforcement career to attend, the Citizens Academy is not a recruiting tool, nor will it provide any advantage in gaining employment with the City of Medford.

*Due to the content and sensitive nature of law enforcement, the Medford Police Department reserves the right to decline any application submitted for this program. All documents submitted become property of the Medford Police Department.