For those with a keen interest in police work within Medford, you might want to listen up. The Medford Police Department has flung open the doors for registration to their 2026 Citizens Academy. According to details published on their official website, this educational foray—which is not a subtle recruitment tactic—provides a 12-week deep dive into the inner workings of the local law enforcement, kicking off January 8, 2026.
Every Thursday night, starting at the top of the evening at 6:00 p.m., participants will spend three hours immersed in various components of the Medford Police Department's operations. From the philosophy behind their General Administration services to getting a grip on how they handle Drug Enforcement and Gang Suppression Issues, the course aims to demystify the day-to-day realities of police work. Designed to provide insight, it features a combination of lectures and hands-on activities, some of which are led by the MPD's own Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) Team.
If you're Medford-based or work in the city and want to throw your hat in the ring, make sure you're 18 by the time the course starts. You'll need to get your hands on an application either from the Medford Police Records Division or through their website, and ensure you can pass a criminal background check, stipulating no felony convictions or recent misdemeanors, and no ongoing criminal cases. You'll also need to agree to hold the department harmless and abide by some student agreements, or you can kiss your application goodbye.
Now, get a move on if this intrigues you. The application window slams shut on November 15, 2025, or earlier if spots fill up. The academy is playing it close to the vest, limiting their intake to just the first 30 approved and qualified applicants notified after their background check is completed. And just so we're on the same page, attending this program isn't going to give you any leg up in landing a job with the City of Medford—it's purely educational.
It's worth noting that the Medford Police Department isn’t offering any guarantees that you'll be accepted. They reserve the right to turn down any application for the program, citing the sensitive nature of the content covered. And once you submit your documents, they become the department's property.
