Residents of Spring Township, West Reading, and Wyomissing will have the opportunity this fall to learn first-hand how their local police departments operate through the return of the joint Citizen’s Police Academy.
The free program, hosted by the three departments, will run Tuesday evenings from September 16 through November 3, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is open to residents of any of the three municipalities who are 18 or older and have no criminal record.
Organizers say the goal of the academy is to educate residents about police operations, foster better understanding between officers and the community, and help participants become more proactive in protecting their neighborhoods.
“This is your opportunity to learn the inside scoop on how a police department operates from the officers themselves,” the announcement states.
Each week will focus on a different aspect of law enforcement. Topics include patrol operations, traffic enforcement, DUI and K9 units, drug identification, criminal investigations, forensics, police firearms, the Berks County Emergency Response Team, and the court system. Participants will also learn about the Berks County 911 Center, youth aid panels, and school resource officers. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony on November 3.
Applications are available at any of the participating police departments or can be downloaded here. View brochure here. Completed applications must be returned to your police department by September 5, 2025, and all applicants will undergo a criminal records check. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact Sgt. Jake Lake at the Spring Township Police Department (610-678-3431), Officer Nick Karetas at the West Reading Police Department (610-373-0111), or Sgt. Scott Schaeffer at the Wyomissing Police Department (610-375-6102, option #3).
