SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Police Department has announced that applications are officially open for the 2026 Spring Citizens Police Academy. 

The academy will be held every Tuesday evening beginning Mar. 3 to May 5. 

The course is free and classes are held every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the auditorium. 

Participants will have a chance to participate in several hands-on, interactive lessons from various specialty units of the South Bend Police Department, including:

• Patrol
• SWAT Team
• Crime Scene Technicians 
• Bomb Squad
• Hostage and Crisis Negotiators 
• K9 Unit
• Real Time Crime Center 
• Narcotics Enforcement 
• Detective Bureau
• Communications 

Participants must be 18 years or older and agree to a criminal background check.

Registration ends on Feb. 13 due to limited space. 

You can learn more and access the application by visiting this website.