Hartselle Police Offer Citizens Police Academy

Two-day program provides inside look at local law enforcement

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Hartselle Police Department is accepting applications for its annual Citizens Police Academy, a two-day program that offers residents an in-depth look at various aspects of law enforcement, including administration, criminal investigations, narcotics, patrol, traffic stops, school resource, and firearms.

Why it matters

The Citizens Police Academy aims to build stronger ties between the police department and the local community by educating residents on police procedures and processes. This type of community engagement can help improve public trust and understanding of law enforcement's role.

The details

The academy will be held on March 21 and March 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hartselle Public Safety Building. To be eligible, participants must be at least 19 years old, a resident of Hartselle or the surrounding area, and pass a background check. After completing the academy, participants can join the Hartselle Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

  • The Citizens Police Academy will be held on March 21 and March 28, 2026.
  • Applications for the academy will be accepted through March 13, 2026.

The players

Alan McDearmond

Hartselle Police Chief, who says the academy is a great opportunity to network with citizens and provide information about the department and law enforcement processes.

Charles Porter

Lieutenant with the Hartselle Police Department, who can be contacted for more information about the Citizens Police Academy.

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What they’re saying

“Our academy is a great opportunity to network with our citizens and present information about our department and law enforcement processes as a whole.”

— Alan McDearmond, Hartselle Police Chief (hartselleenquirer.com)

What’s next

After completing the academy, participants are eligible to join the Hartselle Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.

The takeaway

The Hartselle Citizens Police Academy provides an invaluable opportunity for residents to gain a deeper understanding of local law enforcement and build stronger ties between the community and the police department.