“Homeland Security Begins on Your Block”
Citizen Academy

SYNOPSIS:
Target audience:
The targeted audience for this program is primarily citizens and community stakeholders. Law enforcement officers will also benefit from the program as it serves as a foundation that allows them to apply community policing principles to homeland security that focuses on the role of citizens in the Homeland Security System.

Assumptions regarding learner experience and background:
Law Enforcement Officers:

• Experience facilitating community groups
• Working knowledge of terrorism and/or crime prevention
• Interest in community engagement
• Interest/Experience in reducing community fear

Citizens:

• Experience/Willingness to engage in a proactive partnership with their local law enforcement agency
• Interest/Experience in strategies to increase community safety
• Interest/Experience in protecting neighborhood from terrorism

Critical Learner Outcomes:
Law Enforcement Officers:

• Develop an understanding of the COPS Office and RCPI Network
• Develop an understanding of Community Policing, terrorism in general, domestic/International Terrorism and indicators of terrorism
• Identify approaches to the community engagement process
• Develop strategies for implementing community policing
• Design/Develop strategies for increasing community safety, specifically homeland security.

Citizens:

• Develop an understanding of the COPS Office and RCPI Network
• Review Vigilant/Vigilance
• Develop an understanding of the Homeland Security Advisory System
• Develop an understanding of Community Policing, terrorism in general, Domestic/International Terrorism and indicators of terrorism
• Design/Develop strategies for increasing community safety, specifically homeland security

Program Approach and philosophy:

• A primary philosophy driving the development of this program is to provide Missouri law enforcement agencies and their officers with a learning package designed to facilitate a community policing response for homeland security.
• Participants will engage in an interactive learning environment as instructors utilize adult learning principles.
• Participants will be required to share their unique ideas, beliefs, talents and experiences through the engagement process.
• The program is designed in a deliberate “building block” format to prepare participants for the engagement process and for designing responses to address homeland security.
• A primary goal is to build trust and mutual respect between the law enforcement agency and the community.
• The program will stress the importance of ethics and integrity in addressing homeland security with emphasis on racial profiling, freedom of religion and tolerance.

LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:
30-40 hours