The Urbana Police Division wrapped up its 2025 Citizens Police Academy (CPA) Wednesday night with a graduation ceremony celebrating six weeks of hands-on learning, collaboration, and community engagement.
Led by Sergeant Jason Kizer, the academy met weekly for three-hour sessions designed to give residents an inside look at the day-to-day operations of the police division. Each week featured presentations, demonstrations, and field trips led by Urbana officers and guest speakers from across Champaign County.
The comprehensive curriculum covered nearly every aspect of modern policing — from recruitment, training, and patrol operations to investigations, traffic enforcement, and evidence collection. Participants learned about drug enforcement trends, local court procedures, and community outreach initiatives, while also gaining firsthand experience with tactical equipment, mock interviews, and active shooter simulations.
Highlights from this year’s program included:
- A presentation by Champaign County Municipal Court Judge-elect Gregory Harvey, explaining how the court system works hand-in-hand with law enforcement.
- A visit to the Countywide 911 Communications Center, hosted by CPA member and dispatcher Leslie Massie, offering a behind-the-scenes look at emergency response coordination.
- A day at the police weapons range, where class members safely practiced with department-issued firearms and learned about officer readiness and safety protocols.
- In-depth sessions on major local investigations and the challenges of modern police work, including a review of several high-profile cases handled by Urbana detectives.
On graduation night, Chief Matt Lingrell praised the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to learning more about public safety in their community. He presented Sergeant Kizer with a framed Certificate of Appreciation for his leadership as Academy Commander. Each class member received a Certificate of Achievement, a graduation program, and a CD of class photos to commemorate the experience.
The evening concluded with cake, refreshments, and fellowship among officers and participants — a fitting close to six weeks of partnership between the division and the residents it serves.
Chief Lingrell said the division values the feedback and perspectives gathered from CPA members each year, which help strengthen community relationships and guide future outreach efforts.
The Urbana Police Division plans to host its next Citizens Police Academy in fall 2026. Those interested in participating can find registration information and updates on the city’s website at www.urbanaohio.com.
