Episode Details

Curious what it’s like to ride shotgun in a patrol car or dust for fingerprints at a mock crime scene? In this episode, Community Resource Officer Nate Rivera returns to Ames in Focus to pull back the curtain on the Citizen Police Academy. This hands-on program gives Ames residents a rare peek inside the day-to-day world of local policing.

Since launching in 1999, the Academy has served as a bridge between the Ames Police Department and the community. Participants don’t just sit and listen. They step into the action with crime scene simulations, controlled scenarios, and real-time ride-alongs with patrol officers.

Whether you’re interested in law enforcement or simply want a new way to connect with your city, this eight-week Thursday night program is a standout experience.

• What the Citizen Police Academy offers and who it’s for

• Hands-on activities like mock investigations and patrol shifts

• The goals of transparency, education, and relationship building

• The program’s 25-year legacy in Ames

• Details on how and when to sign up for the next session

Who’s eligible: Anyone age 19 or older who lives or works in Ames
When: Thursday evenings starting January 8, 2026
Where to sign up:
Visit the Ames Police Department at 515 Clark Avenue
Call the non-emergency number at 515.239.5133
Email Officer Nate Rivera at nathan.rivera@cityofames.org

Cost: Free

Want to see your city from a whole new angle? Apply for the Citizen Police Academy and subscribe to Ames in Focus for more stories from around town.