Costa Mesa Residents Get 'Peek Behind the Curtain' at Police Academy

Citizens' Police Academy offers hands-on look at law enforcement in the community.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The first class of Costa Mesa's 2026 Citizens' Police Academy was held on Wednesday, with participants from all walks of life getting an inside look at the city's police department. Led by Police Chief Joyce LaPointe, the 10-week program will give community members a chance to go on ride-alongs, learn about evidence processing, and interact with officers beyond emergency situations.

Why it matters

The Citizens' Police Academy aims to build trust and understanding between the Costa Mesa Police Department and the community it serves. By providing a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement, the program hopes to dispel misconceptions and show that officers are 'human too'.

The details

During the first session, Chief LaPointe and representatives from various police divisions shared insights and anecdotes with the engaged participants. About half of the attendees said they were considering careers in law enforcement, and they peppered the chief with questions about upcoming challenges and the unique qualities of the Costa Mesa PD.

  • The first class of the 2026 Citizens' Police Academy was held on Wednesday, February 20th.

The players

Joyce LaPointe

The police chief of the Costa Mesa Police Department, and the first female police chief in the department's history.

Geri Ghiselin

A past participant of the Citizens' Police Academy who has been volunteering for the Costa Mesa Police Department for the past nine years.

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What they’re saying

“You could tell they were kind of leaning in to me and really listening. A class that's curious is going to have a great time. Because they're not just going to sit there and not get involved.”

— Joyce LaPointe, Police Chief (latimes.com)

“I learned about so many parts of the police department that none of us even think about, normally. All we do is see the black-and-whites out in the street and think 'Oh, cops are bad,' and that's not true.”

— Geri Ghiselin, Past Participant (latimes.com)

What’s next

Over the next 10 weeks, participants in the Citizens' Police Academy will go on ride-alongs with patrol officers, learn how to process evidence, work with K-9 units, and talk tactics with SWAT officers.

The takeaway

The Costa Mesa Citizens' Police Academy provides an invaluable opportunity for community members to gain a deeper understanding of law enforcement and the challenges facing the police department. By fostering open dialogue and hands-on experiences, the program aims to build trust and dispel misconceptions about the role of police in the city.