Applications Open For Ocean City Citizens' Police Academy

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Applications are now open for Ocean City's Citizens' Police Academy, offering everyone an opportunity to get an inside peek at how the Ocean City Police Department operates.

This free academy was organized in 2022 to "provide citizens with sound and accurate information about the Ocean City Police Department and the criminal justice process, so citizens are able to make informed decisions regarding matters involving the police department and/or police activity," according to a release.

"This is another program to expand our community-based efforts," Police Chief Jay Prettyman said. "It will open lines of communication and create a better understanding among the community of police operations in Ocean City."

The course will cover different topics each week, including:

• Community Policing Unit
• Traffic Safety Unit
• K9 Unit
• Police Dispatch
• IT Unit
• Training Unit
• Detectives
• Administration

The academy is free and available to Ocean City residents and business owners 18 and older.

Classes will be held every Tuesday from March 7 through May 9 at the Ocean City Free Public Library (some sessions may be held at other locations, such as the Ocean City Police Department).

Applications can be picked up in person at the Ocean City Police Department or downloaded here. Citizens' Police Academy class size is limited. For more information, email kricci@ocnj.us or call (609) 525-4252.