The Oswego Police Department is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Citizens Police Academy (CPA). The CPA is a free, weekly program designed to provide Village residents and business owners with an inside look at public safety operations and community partnerships.
The Academy will begin Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Participation is free and open to eligible applicants who are at least 18 years of age and reside in, own property, or operate a business within the Village of Oswego. Classes will run for 13 weeks and will be held Wednesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Oswego Police Headquarters, 3355 Woolley Road. Class size will have a minimum of 12 participants, with a maximum of 20.
During class, students will learn the functions and duties of the police department and its members. These include patrol tactics, traffic enforcement, crime scene investigation, DUI enforcement, court procedures and many others. Open dialogue and questions are encouraged in the classroom. Students may also participate in practical exercises, which allow the class to step into the role of an officer in various situations. Graduates of the class are eligible to join the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Alumni are a vital resource to the police department and assist at numerous occasions and planned events.
This program is designed to promote better communication between Village citizens and the police department by fostering a better understanding of the needs of public safety and the community. An application may be picked up at the Oswego Police Headquarters, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or completed online at www.oswegoil.org/cpa.
The application deadline for the February class will be February 9, 2026, at noon.
For more information or questions, please contact officer Cherese Spears at 630-551-7359.
—Oswego Police Department