1) What is the Franklin Citizens' Police Academy?
The Citizens' Police Academy serves as a community outreach program of the department. The concept familiarizes interested community members with the officers and operations of their local law enforcement agency.

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2) Does the Citizens' Police Academy prepare me for a job as a police officer?
Persons interested in pursuing a career as a law enforcement officer with the City of Franklin should contact the Human Resources Department at 615-791-3216 for job announcements, interest cards, or instructions for completing applications. Specific training events for certification as a police officer occur after the Human Resources Department extends a permanent job offer.

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3) Do I have to live in Franklin in order to participate in the Citizens' Police Academy?
Because our program focuses on the local area, CPA participants must live or work in the Franklin-Williamson County community.

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4) Why do you charge a $65.00 participation fee?
The fee covers the cost of all expenses associated with the CPA, including materials, a light dinner meal and snacks for each session, and the cost of your graduation dinner for yourself and any guests you invite.

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5) Do we get to ride with a police officer during the program?
Yes. In fact, "ride-alongs," as we call them, are a mandatory part of the CPA experience. We schedule you to ride a minimum of four hours with an officer on either the evening or midnight shift, on a Friday or Saturday. A sign-up calendar will be available for each participant to schedule a time, in two-hour blocks. Times are flexible and can be adjusted should conflicts arise.

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6) Is riding with a police officer safe?
Your safety is of primary concern to us. If at any time you do not feel comfortable with the experience, you may ask the officer to bring you back to the station and drop you off. Should the officer you are riding with receive an exceptionally dangerous or hazardous call, he or she may decide to drop you off anyway. At all times, obey the instructions given to you by the officer you are with.they are sensitive to your safety and will protect you.

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7) Do CPA participants get to fire weapons?
We host a voluntary Firearms Familiarization Day on a Saturday morning for those participants interested in experiencing that aspect of the work. Participants receive basic safety and skill instruction, then fire several types of weapons from the department's inventory. Strict controls are in place for your safety. This experience does not serve as a qualification to carry a handgun; it is for familiarization only.

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8) What happens if I have to miss a session?
Of course, we encourage your attendance at every session. However, we do know that "life happens." We ask that you attend at least eight of the ten sessions of the program. We feel excessive absences limit your ability to bond with the other participants and fully appreciate the total experience.

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9) Who could I talk to that has been through the Franklin CPA to gain a non-police officer's viewpoint of the course?
You may send an e-mail to the Franklin CPA Alumni at FCPAAA@hotmail.com and someone will contact you.

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10) What happens after I graduate from the CPA?
There are plenty of opportunities for you to continue your association with the department and your fellow graduates, from your class and past classes. The Franklin Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association serves to compliment the Franklin CPA. Alumni sponsor annual events, notably the Police Appreciation Week, and conduct fundraisers for the department that afford an opportunity to extend your participation. Currently, the alumni association plans to expand its scope into an auxiliary program and offer "master-level" courses for its members. A separate organization, The Hundred Club, works closely with the alumni, serving as a trust oversight committee for officers seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. We encourage your consideration of both these opportunities as a means to remain active with the community and the department. For further information, visit the alumni association's web site at www.franklin-cpa.com.

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