Community Academy

The Santa Barbara Police Department Community Academy is an engaging and informational opportunity for community members to obtain more knowledge about the inner workings of SBPD. Community members will have the opportunity to meet with both sworn and professional staff during the academy experience. Community members will engage in various law enforcement topics, have discussions, ask questions, and participate in a behind-the-scenes SBPD experience.

This is also an outstanding opportunity for people that are interested in a career here and to learn more about the Santa Barbara Police Department.

The Community Academy is at no cost to the participants and will run two Saturdays, February 21 and February 28, 2026, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions with an academy graduation ceremony and celebration during the final evening of class.

There may be periods of time that attendees will be walking, standing, or participating in a scenario/training experience.

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)

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. Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply.

By applying for the Community Academy, participants give permission for the Santa Barbara Police Department to utilize any photos, video, or media obtained during the academy to be used on social media platforms, webpages, or promotional documents.

Those community members attending are allowed to take personal photographs or videos if permission is granted by the class coordinator or instructor.

A basic warrant and restraining order check will be conducted prior to admission into the Community Academy. If an applicant has an area of concern, we encourage the applicant to contact us.

If SBPD receives more applications than we have seats available, we will select using a lottery system.

Denial of acceptance is at the discretion of the Chief of Police or their designee.

Classes will be primary held at the Santa Barbara Police Department, 215 East Figueroa Street, Santa Barbara.