Welcome!
Welcome to the more than 500 Durham Citizens' Police Academy graduates since 1998. We're glad you're here and hope you'll enjoy your visit. Durham Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association meets the first Monday of every month, at 7 PM, in the Community Room of the Durham Police Department headquarters, 505 West Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham.
CPAAA Goals...
CPAAA members work to increase community support and awareness of police operations through education and strengthening police-citizen relationships.
The Durham Police Academy Citizens' Alumni Association seeks to:
- advance graduates' interest and involvement in police operations,
- create positive police/citizen relationships,
- undertake community service projects, and
- offer social opportunities for its membership.
CPAAA Background...
The CPAAA grew out of the Durham Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy. The Academy offers Durham, NC, residents a comprehensive insider's look at police department operations. The Academy meets twice weekly for six weeks, and is free of charge. Its 34th class graduated Tuesday evening, October 10, at the Durham City Hall.
So far, more than 500 city residents have graduated from the Academy. With technological advances in crime fighting, topics at each Academy tend to evolve, resulting in many graduates attending multiple academies. Spanish translators assist, as necessary, in the communication process. For more information about the Citizens' Police Academy, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or contact Corporal Felisa Francis in the Crime Prevention Unit of the Durham Police Department at 919-684-4440, extension 261. Spanish speakers may contact Corporal H. L. Borges at extension 277.
According to former CPAAA President Colean Gore, CPAAA was formed to help Citizens' Police Academy graduates continue to learn more about the Durham Police Department, to help around the DPD with paper work, calls, etc., and to raise money for the DPD's Summer Youth Police Camp, Police Explorers and other activities requested by the DPD.
Perspectives on CPAAA & Its Role...
Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers
Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers shares his thoughts on community policing.
I think the most important part of community policing is education and awareness. And that’s one of the things that certainly has been the mission and focus that we’ve had in developing community policing. It’s really trying to get the entire community on the same page with us. There’s so much misinformation about what’s going on in the community, so much misinformation and misunderstanding about crime and how as a community we can impact crime. And the only way to do that really is to continue to bring people together.
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Because these individuals who go through these processes now become better educated and aware advocates for the community—not just for the police department—but for this community. They can go out and dispel rumors. They can go out and provide better information. And the more you can keep an organization like this together, the more you can continue to provide them with new and better information and build on, again, that advocacy pool, the better you are going to be as far as a community.
Read more of Chief Chalmers’ thoughts on community involvement.
Former Durham Police Chief Teresa Chambers
Teresa Chambers, Durham’s Police Chief from 1998-2002, launched the Citizens' Police Academy and encouraged formation of the Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association. Chief Chambers offers these reflections on CPA and CPAAA.
We started the Citizens’ Police Academy because we felt it imperative that citizens take an active role in working with police to safeguard our communities. I’d seen the success of such programs in my native Maryland and around the country. In fact, Prince George’s County, MD, is not unlike Durham in terms of the kinds of crime prevalent there. Coming to Durham I noticed that citizens wanted to feel like they could do something so it seemed like a low cost, high return program. The Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association came about as a result of some CPA graduates who wanted to stay involved in the work of the Durham Police. I’m excited about the new chapter this web site opens for the CPAAA and its members and encourage all graduates to be involved with the CPAAA.
Durham Police Corporal Felisa Francis
Durham Police Corporal Felisa Francis coordinates the Citizens' Police Academy and serves as liaison to the Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association. Corporal Francis believes she’s seen a real change in attitudes, both in the police department and in Durham's communities.
People enroll in the Citizens' Police Academy for many different reasons (besides the fact that it's free to Durham residents). Some attend as representatives of their Partners Against Crime (PAC) groups, some are crime victims and seek ways to avoid being victimized again, some are just interested in staying safe and keeping their neighborhoods safe. All are welcome. One of the most gratifying aspects of these projects has been seeing the influx of Latinos in the community faithfully attending and graduating from the Citizens’ Police Academies. I encourage them and all graduates to stay involved in what we’re doing by joining and attending the Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association. You will be welcomed and your ideas will find support among the CPAAA. I look forward to meeting you and working with you on some exciting projects.
Durham CPAAA Member Virginia Williams
A community activist for most of her life, longtime member and current CPAAA Vice President Virginia Williams finds inspiration in her work with the CPAAA.
I’m not one to sit around while things deteriorate around me. I believe, and I’ve always believed, that if you want something to change, well, you better try to change it. I’ve gone through several Citizens’ Police Academies in the last several years because the information is always changing. Just as there is new technology there are sneakier criminals out there. So I think it’s important to stay updated. In CPAAA we try to put our heads together to find ways to address concerns in our communities. The officers are great and very responsive to our suggestions. And, as a senior citizen, I just feel safer having some relationship with the Durham Police. I also personally call each and every CPAAA member each month to remind them of our meetings, so you have no excuse not to come. And I do hope you will come and join us. The more the merrier, as they say!
CPAAA Events & Activities...
CPAAA participates with the Durham Police Department in community outreach events, such as back-to-school activities and the Durham holiday parade.
Some of our past activities include:
- Safety Gunlock Giveaway
- Child Abuse Awareness Exhibit
- UNC-TV FESTIVAL Fundraising Telethon
- Shield A Badge Program
- National Night Out
- West End Reunion Parade
- Light Up Durham
- Durham Holiday Parade
- Fundraisers
As part of its positive PR for the Durham Police Department, the CPAAA dedicates time and resources to assisting the community financially whenever possible. To date CPAAA contributions include:
- Domestic Violence Programs
- Share Your Christmas
- Lyon Park Summer Youth Camp
- Police Explorers
- Back to School Backpack Supplies
Crime Links...
Community Policing/Involvement:
Crime Information:
Thanks!
For more information about how you can participate in the Durham Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association and related activities and events, please complete and submit our online information request form. Should you wish to make a donation to our not-for-profit organization, you may go directly to our secure PayPal site. Thank you for your support of the Durham CPAAA.
CPAAA FAQs...
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What Is the CPAAA?
The Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) consists of persons who have graduated from a Durham Citizens’ Police Academy and who have paid (or will pay) their dues to CPAAA for the current year.
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What Does the CPAAA Do?
The CPAAA supports the Durham Police Department in ways appropriate for citizen volunteers. This may include being part of the Citizens' Police Academy experience for new students, assisting the DPD with community outreach events, and a wide variety of community projects designed to enhance and uplift the perception that citizens have about the Durham Police Department.
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Why Should I Join the CPAAA?
Joining the CPAAA is a rewarding way to extend your Citizens' Police Academy experience. Beyond the social aspects, it's a way of saying, "Thank you," to the men and women risking their lives to protect and serve Durham's citizens. It also provides opportunities for members to put their varied talents to good use. And CPAAA offers a means to volunteer and reach out to others in the community. Your efforts on behalf of the Durham Police Department provide useful and worthwhile ways to show your appreciation for the DPD's work protecting you and enhancing your quality of life.
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When Does the CPAAA Meet?
CPAAA meets the first Monday of every month at 7 PM (with the exception of those Mondays that are legal holidays or may reasonably fall within an extended holiday period, including New Year's Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day) in the Durham Police Department. Occasionally, special meetings or events are also held (to arrange details for a community outreach project or fundraiser, for example).
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How About a Suggestion for the CPAAA?
Your constructive ideas are welcomes and will be treated with respect. Let us know how we can help you and serve our city better.
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What Will the CPAAA Expect of Me?
Dues are $10 per year, payable in January or when you join CPAAA. Attendance at meetings and participation in community outreach projects are voluntary, but your presence shows your support of CPAAA. That's about it, unless you wish to coordinate a special project or work on a committee.
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Where Can I Find the CPAAA's Mission Statement?
It's short and sweet and yours for the viewing right here.
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What About the CPAAA's Constitution & Bylaws?
You won't find short and sweet, but you will find all the official information about the CPAAA here.
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How Do I Join the CPAAA?
All Citizens' Police Academy graduates are eligible for membership in the Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association. We hope you'll decide to join us in this always-interesting group.
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Who Runs the CPAAA?
Officers of the Durham Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association include Rebekah Radisch—president, Virginia Williams—vice president, Michael Perry—treasurer, and Phyllis Carrington—secretary. Terms last two years and the next election for officers takes place Monday, December 3, 2007, at 7 PM. All members in good standing are eligible to stand for election. Durham Police Corporal Felisa Francis is the DPD liaison to the CPAAA.
- WHO CAN ANSWER MORE CPAAA QUESTIONS?
For more information on the Citizens' Police Academy and Citizens' Police Academy Alumni Association, please contact Durham Police Department Corporal Felisa Francis at 919-560-4440, extension 261, or e-mail felisa.francis@ci.durham.nc.us. You may also contact current CPAAA President Rebekah Radisch at 919-201-1183 or radisch@email.unc.edu. Or, better yet, just show up at 7 PM the first Monday of the month at the Durham Police Department's downtown Durham headquarters, located at 505 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham NC 27701.
