Community Engagement 

The Citizens Police Academy is a program sponsored by the department for the benefit of the citizens of Jefferson City in an effort to increase understanding and awareness through interaction, education and training.  The goal of the CPA is to create and develop a well-informed citizen in this 11 week course about the inner workings of the police department and how officers enforce our laws and help keep us safe.

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The CPA is open to all Cole County residents, 18 years or older, who successfully pass the application process and a driver’s license and criminal background check.  Selection of participants will be at the discretion of the Jefferson City Police Department.

Exploring is a part of Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women.  The purpose is to provide experiences that help young people become responsible and caring adults.  An Explorer program is developed and supervised by local community and professional organizations.

The purpose of Law Enforcement Exploring is to provide young men and women with the opportunity to investigate law enforcement and policing as a career.  Law Enforcement Explorers are provided with the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of the challenges and job skills that make up local police services.

A neighborhood watch program is a group of people living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and in conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life. Neighborhood watch groups have regular meetings to plan how they will accomplish their specific goals and leaders with assigned responsibilities.

Neighborhood watch is homeland security at the most local level. It is an opportunity to volunteer and work towards increasing the safety and security of our homes and our homeland. Neighborhood watch empowers citizens and communities to become active in emergency preparedness, as well as the fight against crime and community disasters.

The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve. In Person. Taking time to meet at neutral locations provides the opportunity for real conversations about issues that matter. Casual Atmosphere. Coffee with a Cop events take place at local restaurants.

The Jefferson City Police Department has many functions that focuses on community interaction during patrols.

We use:

Foot Patrols

Bicycle Patrols

Community Action Team

Along with attending a wide variety of community events

Operation T.O.Y.S., a Jefferson City tradition. Local children from economically disadvantaged families are selected to ride along with local Officers for a Christmas adventure. As they journey to the store, the children are in control of the emergency lights, sirens, and the P.A. system. At the store, they are greeted by Santa as they began their shopping experience.