This Community Voices column on citizen academies is written by Darrin Wilson, an associate professor of public administration at Northern Kentucky University.
In 2024, Gallup released its annual survey results on the public’s trust and confidence in government institutions.
While local governments generally enjoy higher levels of trust compared to state and federal institutions, the results showed that nearly one-third of the public had “not very much” or “none at all” confidence in their local government.
With the growing spread of misinformation and increasing criticism of how local governments have responded to concerns such as the pandemic, social inequities, economic conditions, and housing challenges, many local governments have intensified their efforts to be more transparent with the communities they serve.
One of the ways local governments can provide transparency and enhance confidence with the public is through ‘citizen academies’.
Originating in the United Kingdom during the 1970s and introduced in the United States during the 1980s, they were originally focused on promoting transparency and facilitating interactions between residents and their respective police departments, known as Citizen Police Academies.
Since then, additional citizen academies have been created to focus on fire departments (Citizen Fire Academies) and local government organizations as a whole (General Government Citizen Academies). In the Cincinnati region, there are over 15 local governments operating a citizen academy, including several in Northern Kentucky.
Most citizen academies are offered annually, require an application to participate, and are free of charge. Sessions typically take place once a week in the evening over a period of 8 to 12 weeks, with each session dedicated to a specific topic. While some sessions are classroom-style, many include hands-on activities and demonstrations to enhance learning.
Department-specific academies, such as those for police departments, often cover both broad overviews such as department history and the legal system, and specialized topics like traffic enforcement, evidence collection, firearms training, narcotics units.
General government academies typically dedicate each session to a particular department or service area, including police, fire, public works, and parks/recreation. Participants may also learn about the budget process, how ordinances are developed and passed, and interact with representatives from partner organizations like the water district, health department, or judicial system.
Participating in a citizen academy is a highly rewarding experience. Not only do residents meet one another and engage with the public servants who provide vital services every day, but they also gain a deeper understand of how their local government functions, including the policies, procedures, and mandates that guide decision-making.
From the government’s perspective, citizen academies offer a valuable opportunity to increase transparency and gather feedback directly from the public.
By participating in your local government’s citizen academy, you’ll become more informed about how your community operates and you’ll be better equipped to discuss local issues with your neighbors.
If you live in a community with a citizen academy and are interested in participating, keep an eye on your local government’s social media or give them a call to learn when applications open. Below is a list of local governments in Northern Kentucky currently operating a citizen academy.
Boone County
City of Florence Police Department
Campbell County
Highland Heights Police Department
Kenton County
Kenton County Detention Center
Lakeside Park – Crestview Hills Police Department
If you have an idea for a Community Voices column, email Meghan Goth at mgoth@linknky.com.
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