The Lenexa Police Department supports volunteerism and citizen involvement through Masters Courses offered to graduates of the Citizen Police Academy.

Introduced in 1993, the Citizen Police Academy has graduated scores of citizens who are anxious to stay connected in an active way with the Police Department. To that end, the department designed various volunteer programs that, after specialized training, Citizen Police Academy volunteers can work in.

Available prospective volunteers may apply for training in any of the following programs:

Parking Control
This program trains volunteers to enforce the City's Parking Regulations and Ordinances. Access, formerly called handicap parking, fire Lanes, residential and commercial areas are all patrolled by volunteers. Would you be surprised to know that Lenexa is approaching 4,000 access parking stalls? Volunteers actually issue tickets, and go to court just like fully commissioned Police Officers.

Traffic Monitor
The Police Department receives many complaints about unsafe or illegal traffic conditions...many more than we can monitor. In this program, volunteers are trained in the operation of traffic radar, and observation of traffic violations. They are dispatched to many of the complaint areas to observe and report on the traffic conditions. Traffic radar, equipped with a large display board, is used to alert motorists to their speed. No enforcement action is taken

Sign Abatement
In this newest program, volunteers are detailed to remove, document and report signs posted in violation of the City's Sign Ordinance. These signs are always an eyesore and many times can be a traffic hazard. Follow-up enforcement steps will be taken by the City's Code Enforcement personnel. Some ability to use tools and handle and work on a ladder is required for this program.

Street Light Inventory
Volunteers assigned to the Traffic Monitor function are also called upon to inventory street lights and to document non-functioning lights.  This is done by grid, and malfunctioning lights are reported on a regular basis. The city saves money by not paying for leased lights that don't operate, and the general safety of streets and neighborhoods is improved by the timely maintenance of street lights.

Crime Analysis
Specially trained volunteers assist the Police Department Crime Analyst in the preparation of the multitude of regular reports that a modern police agency needs to effectively combat crime.  Trends are studied, and incidents are plotted on computerized mapping programs.  Volunteers performing this function should be fairly computer literate and must undergo an in-depth background investigation because of the sensitivity of the data with which they work.

For More Information and an Application, See "Masters Courses" on the "Citizen Police Academy"