Carquinez Village Presents: An Introduction to the Benicia Citizens Police Academy

Carquinez Village will feature Benicia Police Department staff to discuss the upcoming Benicia Citizens Police Academy at 10:30 am on Thursday, July 16, at the Benicia Public Library, located at 150 East L Street.The presentation is offered as part of the Carquinez Village Speaker Series.

CSO Lauren Teel and Detective Shawn Delgado will be the speakers at the presentation. The Academy consists of 10 sessions from 6:30-9:30 pm on Wednesdays from August 19 to October 21, 2026, with two special Saturday sessions scheduled for Sept. 12 and Sept .18. The academy is designed for Benicia residents and individuals that work in Benicia, 18 years of age and older, at no cost.

Teel and Delgado will provide an overview of Academy topics, the history and evolution of the Citizen’s Academy, and provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the program. Topics of the Academy include BPD’s various divisions and teams, and the operations of the communication center and dispatch. Sessions will also review the management of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the process of a crime scene investigation and how staff cover patrol duties. There will be updates about crime prevention efforts, and participants the Citizens Police Academy will meet the BPD‘s K-9s as well.

Class space is limited. Individuals may use the link to the BPD website (www.ci.benicia.ca.us/pdspecialevents), to download the application packet, or applications are available for pick up at the police station

Individuals may contact Academy coordinator, Sgt. Michelle King, directly by email at mking@ci.benicia.ca.usor by calling 707-745-3411 for more information.

Those interested in attending the July 16 presentation are asked to register at the Carquinez Village website: https://www.carquinezvillage.com/. There is an option for a person to register to participate by Zoom on the website.

The Dona Benicia room at the Benicia Library has an Assisted Listening System. To get access to this system the city must be contacted in advance. Hearing access can be provided by contacting Suzanne Thorson at 707-746-4382 or by email at adacoordinator@ci.benicia.ca.us .

The mission of the Carquinez Village is to help Benicia and Vallejo seniors to stay in their homes and to enrich their lives through connecting, supporting, and inspiring them.

More information about the Carquinez Village is available at https://www.carquinezvillage.com/ or by calling 707-297-2472.