YCSO Citizen Police Academy kicks off in January at new training center - Applications available now
- Tammy L Wells
- 38 minutes ago
- 3 min read
ALFRED, Maine – What is rural policing all about? How are investigations conducted? How often are K9 officers deployed? What is a special response team?
York County residents can learn all about these topics and more at the second annual York County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy, set to begin January 8.
Those accepted into the free 9 week program will be among the first people to take classes at the new York County Regional Training Center, located at 79 First County Way off Route 4 in Alfred.
The citizen academy is a collaboration between the sheriff’s office and Massabesic Adult and Community Education, and will be the second in as many years. Students will learn about police patrol operations and tactics, communications, fingerprinting and crime scene processing, political implications, community policing, constitutional law, use of force, K9 utilization, special response team operations, jail operations, investigations and more – like opportunities for a ride along.
“The first citizen police academy was met with such enthusiasm and high marks that we decided that it would be an annual event,” said York County Sheriff William L. King Jr.
“Deputy Matt Cummer is outstanding in his role as program administrator. Everybody who participated in the first CPA thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had such a great group of students eager to learn about policing that we wanted to make sure the opportunity was afforded to more York County residents this year.”
York County Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes said instructors – who come from among the ranks of the sheriff’s office and some area police departments – sought feedback from students in the first academy and made some changes. There’s more hands-on learning this time around and a new schedule: the program is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on nine Thursday evenings starting Jan. 8. Capacity is 25 students.
“I’ve been told by students that policing is completely different than their prior perception,” said Cummer. “Changing perceptions is very important to me.”
As for more hands-on training, Cummer said there will be scenarios like mock traffic stops, and students will be able use a simulator that can virtually place them in a variety of situations law enforcement officers may encounter in their careers.
“It’s going to be good,” Cummer said of the academy.
Students will graduate March 6, at the annual YCSO Awards Ceremony.
Area residents interested in attending the 2026 York County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy may obtain an application by emailing Deputy Matthew Cummer at: mtcummer@yorkcountymaine.gov. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, agree to a basic background check, have no prior felony arrests, and be ready to learn about the complexities of modern law enforcement. Applications must be returned to Cummer by Jan. 1, 2026.
“I look forward to seeing residents learn about law enforcement,” said Sheriff King. “Such programs build stronger community relationships – and that is a very positive outcome.”
