WESTPORT–Residents can learn about the operations, responsibilities and challenges of modern law enforcement through the Westport Police Department’s “Citizens’ Police Academy,” which will meet Tuesday evenings beginning Sept. 8.

Police Capt. Jillian Cabana, a 20-year veteran of the department who’s coordinated Westport’s Citizens’ Police Academy since 2016, said Friday the program is meant to strengthen connections and partnerships between Westport residents and its Police Department, not to train participants to be police officers. “Generally the group we have is older,” she added.

The program includes classroom instruction, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and interactions with police officers so participants gain “a greater understanding of the services provided by the Westport Police Department and the role policing plays within the criminal justice system,” a press release from the department says.

The weekly meetings on Tuesdays will take place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Oct. 27, with a final meeting on Nov. 10. The deadline to apply for the Citizens’ Police Academy is Friday, Aug. 21.

The Citizens’ Police Academy is open to Westport residents at least 21 years old and is capped at 25 people.

The program is designed to promote transparency, communication and mutual understanding and will give participants “an inside look” at the Police Department’s divisions and specialized units, such as patrol, criminal investigations, emergency response, and other law enforcement functions, according to the release.

Participants will also be able to ride along with a patrol officer during his or her tour of duty and receive “Stop the Bleed” training, which shows “how to stop emergency life-threatening bleeding,” Cabana said.

Instructors include veteran Westport Police officers, attorneys from Stamford Superior Court, and members of Westport Emergency Medical Services, according to the release.

“Graduates often leave the program with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of police work and a stronger connection to their local police department,” the release says.

Cabana said the department would like participants to attend all seven weekly classes. “But we understand things come up and people have lives outside the program,” she said.

The department is now accepting applications for its 2026 Citizens’ Police Academy and, because previous CPAs have been filled and applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis, interested residents should apply well in advance of the Aug. 21 application deadline, according to the release.

Applications are available at the Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road, or by clicking 2026 Citizens’ Police Academy Application.

Completed applications can be returned to the department or to Cabana at jcabana@westportct.gov.