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This 8-week course provides community members with an inside look on how their police department functions. Classes are held one night weekly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and may address a variety of law enforcement related topics, including, but not limited to Use of Force, Gangs, Narcotics, Firearms Safety, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS), Personal Safety, and more. Participants will tour the Aviation Unit and observe canine demonstrations, as well as participate in a 4-hour police ride-a-long. Free to qualified applicants 21 years of age or older. All applicants must pass a limited background check and must either live or work in the City of Riverside. 

Reserve a spot at an upcoming Citizen's Academy

Youth Academy

In conjunction with National Youth Services Day, this half day program is FREE to Riverside youth, ages 14-18 and focuses on issues that impact their lives. Police personnel will address the role of law enforcement and the youth as it relates to a variety of topics. Some issues that may be discussed include school safety, drug and alcohol abuse, gang awareness, truancy, teen dating violence, family violence prevention, traffic/driving safety and more. Information on the Riverside Police Department's Explorer and Cadet programs will be available. All applicants must pass a limited background check. Class size is limited.

El  Protector

The El Protector program is designed to educate the Spanish speaking community within the city of Riverside through the dedicated efforts of Officers and representatives from the Riverside Police Department.  The focus of the program is to improve community relations, provide educational programs, safeguard the community, and better serve the public.

The program goes beyond the traditional Police Officer role, taking a proactive approach in our endeavor to overcome the barriers of language and culture.  We recognize the need to educate ourselves as well as the public in order to achieve an improved understanding.  The El Protector program serves to further our efforts in improving the safety and service of the Hispanic community.  Program areas include:

• Education - we would like to educate the community in relation to traffic laws, the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, Domestic Violence and other subjects of importance.

• Information -  During our community presentations, we distribute informative brochures like Neighborhood Watch, how to protect your family, and how to avoid unnecessary risks.

• Benefits - educational programs where the community can obtain a variety of information that is available by telephone.  The most important benefit to the community is the ability to communicate directly with Spanish speaking officers and representatives.

• Action - if you are interested in a presentation, need more information about the program, or have any other questions, please call (951) 351-6086.

El Programma El Protector del Departamento de Policía de Riverside sirve para fomentar la comunicación, promover la prevención del crimen y la educación sobre la seguridad en nuestras comunidades de habla hispana.

El Protector desempeña el papel como funcionario de la ley mas allá del oficial tradicional, tomando métodos proactivos en el esfuerzo de sobre pasar las barreras del idioma y cultura.  El Departamento de Riverside reconoce la necesidad de educar a sus empleados, así como al publico, para poder lograr un mejor entendimiento.  El programa El Protector  sirve para  aumentar más nuestros esfuerzos de mejorar la seguridad y el servicio a la comunidad Hispana.

El programa El Protector está comprometido a la educacíon de la comunidad de habla hispana por medio de los dedicados esfuerzos de sus oficiales y representantes del Departamento de Policía.  El enfoque del programa es de mejorar su relacíon con la comunidad, de proveer programas educativos, mejorar la seguridad de la comunidad y servir mejor al público.

Para programar una de estas clases, por favor comuníquense al (951) 715-3417.

 

Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities.  It involves:

• Neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance.

• Residents trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in the neighborhoods

• Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as home security, Operation Identification, etc.

Why participate in the Neighborhood Watch program?

• Nationwide, millions of crimes are committed every year and the number is still growing.

• There can't be a law enforcement officer on every corner, so citizen involvement is essential to combat crime.

• By cooperating with each other and law enforcement, people can help fight crime in their community the most effective way - before it begins.

Y.A.N.A ("You Are Not Alone")

In 1995 the United States Postal Service created a program to aid senior citizens who were physically challenged.  The program offered assistance and referral to a variety of services.

One of the proposed services was a program that encouraged seniors and physically challenged persons to participate with their police department in the You Are Not Alone program.  The program's focus is making daily, or as otherwise arranged, telephone contacts to ensure the safety and welfare of its participants.

The Riverside Police Department uses volunteers working out of area storefront offices to make phone calls.  If contact is made no further action takes place.  However, if the client doesn't answer the phone after several tries, either an emergency contact person or a uniformed police officer will visit their residence.

• What does the service cost?  The YANA program is provided free of charge by the Riverside Police Department as a service to the community.

• Who can participate?  Any senior citizen, physically challenged person, or anyone else who may be able to benefit from the program may participate.

• How do I apply?  Call  (951) 353-7689.  The YANA volunteer will assist you in signing up for the service.  All information is kept confidential.

• What else?  Throughout the year YANA participants are invited to the police department's area storefronts for social gatherings.  The events allow the clients, volunteers and police staff to put faces and personalities with those they have been having telephone conversations with.

Volunteers in Action

The Riverside Police Department Volunteer program was created in 1994.  It began with six volunteers who worked in the Records Division.

The department now has approximately 80 volunteers who assist in a variety of assignments.  Volunteers assist in areas such as the Emergency Operations Center, Photo Lab, Mall Walkers at the Galleria at Tyler, Records Division, and the Citizen's patrol.

We attempt to match the volunteer's skills and interests to the Department's needs.  The Riverside Police Department is committed to doing its part to ensure all citizens have a satisfying volunteer experience.

Some of our most popular positions available are:

• Anti-Graffiti Patrol

• Citizen's Patrol

• Handicapped Parking Enforcement

• Neighborhood Police Centers

• El Protector

• YANA (You Are Not Alone)

For more information, please complete an online volunteer application or contact Rose Lane at (951) 353-7187.  You will be contacted by a representative of the Riverside Police Department with additional information.