Presenting 2026 Illinois Quad City Police Departments Citizen Academy Application

Each year, the Rock Island Police Department participates in the Citizens Police Academy in partnership with the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois State Police District 7, and the police departments of Moline, East Moline, Silvis, and Milan.

The Citizen Police Academy is an eleven-week program designed to give the participant a basic knowledge of how your police department operates. Instruction will be presented by police officers from the sponsoring agencies. Participants will have an opportunity to shoot a police-issued handgun and tour the county jail. The sessions are informal, and questions are encouraged. 

Participants are also encouraged to go on patrol as a “Ride Along” to witness first-hand the police officer’s work on the beat. 

The Citizen Academy is designed to bring citizens and police together.  We not only explain our jobs, but we also get feedback and learn from you.

Since 2003, the Rock Island Police Department and Fire Departments have teamed up at Christmas time to help provide needy Kids with Christmas presents.  Children are partnered with our officers, firefighters, and other volunteers so that those less fortunate can still have a joyous holiday.  After a day of holiday shopping, the kids are treated to a full meal at the police department, catered by Hy-Vee and provided by the Rock Island Police Benevolent and Protective Association.

In the summer of 2016, as temperatures reached into the 90’s, the Rock Island Police Department launched the Cops and Freezer Pops program as a means of community outreach.  Our police officers spend every day within the neighborhoods talking with residents and what better way to build relationships with the community on a hot day than to open some fire hydrants and pass out cool treats!  The program has been a huge success and helps foster positive interaction between the people of Rock Island and those who’ve pledged to protect them. 

The Million Father March is an annual nationwide back-to-school event during which fathers and father figures come together to support children's academic success and life goals.  Each year, the Rock Island Police Department joins the event at Rock Island Academy to demonstrate our dedication to our children’s education and to start the school year off right!

Sponsored by the Community Caring Conference and the Rock Island Police Department, the National Night Out is a nationwide community building campaign held every year to promote police community partnerships. With our shared goal of a safe community, the National Night Out is a great way for our residents to get to know one another better and work together for a safer Rock Island.