Be Part of the Solution

We will be hosting our Fall 2025 Citizens Police Academy on Mondays beginning September 29th and ending on December 1st, 2025.

  Classes will be held at the Lower Merion Police Station from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  

Applications will be taken through September 22nd, 2025.

The Citizens Police Academy gives our citizens first-hand information on how and why the Department operates; examining the culture of police work and the organization. Classes are taught by Lower Merion police officers who provide an accelerated overview of the various operations within the Department.  It provides an excellent opportunity for the citizens to interact with Department members.  Attendees will get hands-on experience working a mock crime scene and are encouraged to participate in a ride-along with a Lower Merion police officer.  Our main goal is to increase understanding of police work and to develop effective police/community partnerships. 

Topics covered will include:

• Organizational structure
• Criminal Investigations
• Use of Force
• Crash Investigations/DUI
• Emergency Response Team (ERT)
• K-9 Patrol
• UAS (Drone) Overview and Demonstration
• Forensic Pathology
• Criminal Justice System

The Citizens Police Academy (CPA) is an eight-week program. Meetings will be held at the Lower Merion Police Department (71 E. Lancaster Ave. Ardmore, PA)

Attendees must be 18 years of age or older.  Residents of Lower Merion and surrounding communities are eligible to attend.  Participants will have a graduation ceremony on the final night where they will receive a certificate of completion.  To ensure a quality learning experience, the program is limited to 15 participants.  An application for the CPA can be found here. Completed applications can be returned in person, via mail, or email to police@lowermerion.org.

It is FREE to participate!

If you have any questions or would like to be added to our waiting list, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 610-645-6240 orpolice@lowermerion.org. 

If interested in attending future Citizen Police Academies, fill out the following interest card to be put on our mailing list.