Community Policing & Engagement

What is the Citizens Police Academy?

The Citizens Police Academy is for any resident of Fayetteville who wants to know more about the Fayetteville Police Department. The academy will provide experiences and hands-on knowledge of various divisions and units throughout the department. 

The Citizens Police Academy is designed to provide citizens with comprehensive information about the operations of the Fayetteville Police Department. The information provided will foster a relationship that will assist in a safer community and a more informed body of citizens.

When and where is the Citizens Police Academy?

The Citizens Police Academy runs every Tuesday from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. The Citizens Police Academy will be held at the Fayetteville Police Department Training Center, located at 670 N. Eastern Blvd., or at the main Police Department located at 467 Hay Street, depending upon what subjects are being covered that evening. 

How do I apply?

To apply, simply fill out the Citizens Police Academy application listed below as well as the Authorization to Obtain Information. The authorization to obtain information is necessary so a background check may be conducted on applicants due to the sensitive and in-depth nature of the Citizens Police Academy. The authorization to obtain information must be notarized prior to being submitted. 

Once the application and authorization to obtain information are complete, you may mail them to:

Fayetteville Police Department Training Center

Attention: Amanda Elmore

671 N. Eastern Blvd

Fayetteville, NC 28301

Alternatively, you may turn the documents in in-person by visiting the Fayetteville Police Department Training Center during normal business hours. If you're unable to get the authorization to obtain information notarized, simply take your documents to our training center and ask to see Amanda Elmore, as she will be able to assist you. Class size is limited to twenty (20) participants.

Citizens Police Academy Application(PDF, 112KB)  Authorization to Release Information(PDF, 158KB)

We are looking forward to a successful, informational, and exciting Citizens Police Academy and look forward to you becoming a part of it! Should you have any questions, please contact Amanda Elmore at 910-433-1903 or by e-mail at AmandaElmore@FayettevilleNC.gov.

What is the Citizens Volunteer Program?

The Citizens Volunteer Program functions in support of community-related activities as well as supporting daily operations of the Fayetteville Police Department. Citizen Volunteers can assist the Police Department in various administrative and community policing capacities. Citizen volunteers are a great asset to the Police Department and help build ties within our community and getting our citizens to help make a great department even better. Volunteers assist us regularly in areas such as clerical work, departmental events, crime prevention events, training, Police Activity League, and much more.

How can you get involved?

It is a requirement that in order to volunteer you must have successfully completed the Citizen’s Police Academy. Citizens who volunteer are subject to a background check prior to being accepted and are not compensated for the services they perform.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please fill out Volunteer Application Form or call Lieutenant Bohannon at (910) 759-9473 for more information about volunteer opportunities within the Fayetteville Police Department.

Community Engagement is how the Fayetteville Police Department develops and maintains positive community-police relationships. Below are just some of the ways we foster this relationship across our city.

Operation Ceasefire Movie Nights

Our Operation Ceasefire Movie Nights are FREE drive-in movie nights that brings the community, police departments, community stakeholders, and resources all together to help stop the gun violence in our community.

Bring your family and friends for fun! We will bring the popcorn, drinks, ice cream, games and more! Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE Community Event.

Where are the Movie Nights held?

Movie Nights are held at various locations throughout the city. If you have a large indoor venue, or an outdoor parking lot, and are interested in hosting a Movie Night please reach out to A. Njeri Fikes at akuafikes@fayettevillenc.gov. 

How Do I Learn More?

Follow us on social media, or check back here, to learn when and where our next movie night will be held.

Shred Events

Protect Your Identity - Shred Your Documents FREE

Our annual Crime Prevention Shred Event is a free event where individuals (no businesses) can bring their documents to shred in order to avoid identity theft. Our detectives and Crime Prevention Specialists are on hand to help shred and promote other good practices to help prevent crime in our community. 

Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE Community Event!

Where is the Shred Event Held? 

The Shred Event is usually held in large parking lots throughout the city. Check back here, or follow us on social media, for more information on our next free Shred Event.

Do I Need to Sign Up?

There is no need to sign up or register. Just show up with your personal documents and have them shredded for FREE.

Special Olympics of NC Fundraising Events

Everyone Plays a Role in “If You See Something, Say Something®”

View in Media Library

Active Shooter Preparedness

Bike Safe NC

Bike Safe NC is an initiative of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program in partnership with law enforcement agencies. It is a proactive approach to reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities on North Carolina roadways. Participants interact with motor officers of the Fayetteville Police Department in a classroom and on-the-road ride-outs. Topics include professional riding techniques, observation skills, hazard management and collision avoidance. There is no cost to attend or participate.

CARS Program

The Fayetteville Police Department identifies high traffic accident locations (intersections and roadways) where car crashes occur more frequently through its Crash Analysis Reduction Strategy (CARS).  The data reviewed for selective enforcement initiatives includes locations with a high frequency of accidents, areas that citizens have highlighted as problematic, and where crime and vehicle accident data overlays identify an opportunity to prevent and reduce crime. 

The Traffic Safety Unit will identify on a weekly basis the top ten intersections for motor vehicle accidents and disseminate these locations to the patrol districts for traffic enforcement and high visibility support.  Of the ten intersections, the Traffic Safety Unit will be responsible for the CARS initiative. Three locations will be identified for targeted enforcement utilizing written warnings and state citations for raising awareness levels and altering motorist behavior at these locations. 

Speed Sentries

Speed Sentries are another tool utilized by our Traffic Unit and Patrol Districts to monitor speeding in areas throughout the city. The signs are mobile and can be moved throughout the city.

These signs are placed in areas where speeding complaints have been received by residents or officers have noticed what they believe to be an increase in speeding in the area.

The signs record the speed and the time of day of passing vehicles. The data collected from these signs allow supervisors to deploy officers where needed to help enforce speeding laws.

We are proud to announce the Summer Internship Program for the Fayetteville Police Department.  This is an unpaid internship that will allow students to work 20-40 hours per week from May 11, 2026–August 7, 2026.

To qualify, applicants must be:

• A current student at any college or university (but you must be able to be commute to be on site daily for the duration of the internship).
• 18 years of age or older.
• Must not have been convicted or pled guilty/no contest to a felony or any offense that would be considered a felony if committed in the State of North Carolina.
• Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor of a serious nature that reflects moral turpitude or indicates a tendency to disregard the law.

The mission of the Fayetteville Police Department’s Internship Program is to offer college students an enlightening, rewarding, and educational experience, while helping them earn credits if required to graduate from their designated College or University. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful educational and work experiences to the selected interns, as well as present an opportunity to assess the police profession firsthand.

Our internship offers students an opportunity to observe and work in various units of the police department that coincide with their major such as Investigations, Community Affairs, Forensics, Planning, Research & Development, the Patrol Division, and the Community Resource Unit. Students will learn about the department's staffing, mission, activities, records. Internships are composed of both observations and administrative work. Students are not required to be Criminal Justice majors but must be a current full-time student at an accredited College or University at the start of the Internship. This is a 12-week summer internship program. The Fayetteville Police Departments Internship program is currently unpaid and the workdays and times will be based on the needs of the department and the availability of the intern.

Internship Application(PDF, 77KB) Background Investigation Release(PDF, 93KB)

On Tuesday, August 5th, neighborhoods around the city of Fayetteville will join communities across the country in celebrating National Night Out, America’s Night Against Crime. This event encourages residents to come together to take a stand against crime, show solidarity, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are uniting to fight back. National Night Out is an annual celebration that focuses on strengthening neighborhood bonds and fostering partnerships between police departments and the community.

In Fayetteville, Community Watch groups will celebrate by organizing various activities for the community. Members of law enforcement will also take part in the events. Residents who are unable to attend can still participate in National Night Out by turning on their porch lights and spending a moment engaging with their neighbors.

You can register your event using the National Night Out link below, where you also have the option to purchase NNO shirts and other swag items. If you are interested in sharing your event with local community members you can register your event with the Fayetteville Police Department through Sunday, July 27, 2025, at midnight. To register your event please contact one of the following Crime Prevention Specialists (CPS) below:

Campbellton District

CPS Ashley Schirone 910-433-1873

Central District 

CPS Sharon Stevens 910-433-1134

Cross Creek District

CPS Brigitte Sanchez 910-433-1033

Find a NNO Event Near You

See locations below to find a National Night Out event near you. The addresses will be updated as we receive and confirm the events that have been registered with us. Check back often for updates.

 ***Updated on 7-28-25 at 1:21 pm***

National Night Out

House Check Program

The Fayetteville Police Department offers a free house check program for residents of Fayetteville who are away from their residence for an extended period of time. Officers will conduct random checks of your residence while you are away. 

Random house checks will only be made for a period not to exceed three weeks out of a six-month period. If it is determined that a request has been made that exceeds this limitation the request will be canceled. If you have a request that is outside of this, please call (910) 433-1585 to discuss your options.

*FPD accepts no greater responsibility for the security or safety of your property during the times indicated above than currently exists at law and cannot be held liable in the event of damage to the property from criminal activity. 

House/Party Check Form

This program may also be used by residents planning to have a house party and would like officers to conduct random checks on the residence during the party.

 *Officers will not be assigned to individual house parties to act as security.

What is the Ride-Along Program?

The Ride-Along Program provides an opportunity for someone to ride along with a patrol officer and observe law enforcement activities. The officer may acquaint the citizen rider with a range of police responsibilities and problems. This may include hazardous situations, but the officer will discontinue the ride-along if the safety of the rider is at risk. 

Who Can Participate in the Ride-Along Program?

Persons eighteen (18) years and older wishing to participate in the program will need to initiate a request through the Internal Affairs Unit. Persons studying criminal justice, or engaged in criminal justice research, city officials, community watch participants, or visiting law enforcement officials will be given priority. A general release form must be completed and signed by the ride-along participant before being allowed to ride. A brief background investigation of each rider will be made by the Internal Affairs Unit to determine if the citizen is of suitable character to ride-along.

Are There Any Restrictions?

• Riders are strictly prohibited from riding with officers that are family or a friend.
• Riders will not enforce laws or assist in enforcing laws.
• Riders are not permitted to carry any type of weapon even those that they are lawfully permitted to carry concealed or otherwise. 
• Riders will dress in a "business casual" manner. No jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, or shorts will be permitted. 
• Riders are limited to one ride-along every 6 months.

How to Apply

Complete the application and submit in person, fax, or email. See the form for more information.

POL646-Ride-Along-Application.pdf(PDF, 556KB)