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Santa Barbara Police Department Patch
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2025 Community Academy

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The Santa Barbara Police Department is excited to announce the return of our Community Academy, a free, behind-the-scenes experience designed to give community members an inside look at how SBPD operates. This two-day program offers a unique opportunity to connect with sworn officers and professional staff, explore various aspects of law enforcement, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's work in our community.

Dates and Time
Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Santa Barbara Police Department, 215 East Figueroa Street

The academy is open to individuals 18 years or older who live in or have strong ties to the Santa Barbara area. Though it is not a requirement to live in the City of Santa Barbara, it is highly recommended that applicants live in the immediate area or are interested in a career at the Santa Barbara Police Department. The academy is an especially valuable experience for anyone interested in a future career with the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Experiences may include:

  • Meeting the Chief of Police & Command Staff
  • Station Tour & Interactive SBPD History Briefing
  • New Police Station Update with Current Exterior and Interior Renderings
  • Communications Center Tour
  • Traffic Enforcement, Equipment & Collision Investigations
  • Driving Under the Influence Investigations
  • Community Action Team (e-bike patrol)
  • Patrol Operations
  • Police K-9 Demonstration
  • Crime Scene Investigation & Fingerprinting
  • Detectives & Investigations
  • Professional Standards and Learning About the Complaint Investigation Process
  • Mental Health Response Team
  • Volunteers in Policing (VIPs)
  • Police Officer Training Requirements (Inside look into the Police Academy)
  • Employee Recruitment and Wellness
  • Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
  • Force Options and De-escalation Scenarios (Virtual and role-playing)
  • The opportunity to participate in police officer ride-alongs (Optional)

Hands-on participation is encouraged, and portions of the academy may involve walking, standing, or taking part in training scenarios.

At the conclusion of the academy, a graduation ceremony and celebration will take place during the final session.

How to Apply

Interested community members should complete the application and waiver form linked below:

2025 Santa Barbara Police Department Community Academy Application and Waiver

Please note:

  • A basic warrant and restraining order check will be conducted prior to acceptance
  • If more applications are received than seats available, participants will be selected via a lottery system
  • Acceptance is at the discretion of the Chief of Police or their designee

By participating, attendees agree to allow SBPD to use any photos or video taken during the academy for promotional purposes. Personal photography or video is allowed with approval from the class coordinator or instructor.

If you have questions about the 2025 Community Academy, please call or email Sgt. Bryan Kerr at 805-897-2432 or bkerr@sbpd.com