The Police Community Relations Unit officers a variety of community based programs:

Citizen Academy and Teen Academy:
The Citizen Academy offers Milpitas residents an opportunity to examine the inner working of our police department.  This two nights a week (for six weeks) course details areas such as Community Oriented Policing, use of force, arrest and control procedures, gangs, high risk vehicle stops, arrest warrant process, police canine, police S.W.A.T., crime prevention, and other areas of interest.  We also offer a Teen Academy, which allows high school students a one-week program that exposes students to similar topics at the beginning of summer.  The Citizen Academy is offered twice a year (Spring and Fall).

 

Neighborhood Watch:

This program has been proven effective in deterring crime in neighborhoods. Learn how you can protect yourself and your property … and get to know your neighbors … by organizing a program in your neighborhood. A police officer will provide information on what is suspicious activity … when to dial 9-1-1, and what happens when you do … how to safeguard your valuables and ‘harden’ your house against residential burglary … how to establish a block map and phone tree … and many other crime prevention tips.Visit the Milpitas Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch’s web page.

 

Police Explorers:
	The Milpitas Police Explorer Unit is designed to provide young men and women between the ages of 16 and 20 the opportunity to ‘explore’ law enforcement as a possible career choice. This unit is supervised by a Police Officer and is affiliated with the Explorer Division of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Are you interested in a career in Law Enforcement?
• Are you between the ages of 16 and 20 years old?
• Do you want to see what it’s like to be a Police Officer?
• Learn how to join the Milpitas Police Explorers

Ride Along Program:
An opportunity for Milpitas residents to ‘ride-along’ with a uniformed police officer during his or her shift.  If you are interested in scheduling a ride-a-long, please call 408-586-2400 and ask to speak with an officer from the Police Community Relations Unit (PCR).

 

Citizen Volunteer Program:
The Milpitas Police Department Citizen Volunteers are adults, 21 years of age and older, who have an interest in helping their community improve the quality of life for all citizens of Milpitas. Trained volunteers will be utilized to enhance vital police programs and increase community awareness. Volunteers will not take any enforcement action, carry weapons, or make arrests. They will act as additional “eyes and ears’ for the Milpitas Police Department. Our volunteers assist the Milpitas Police Department in a variety of functions. Click here for more information (PDF).