Rio Rancho police open citizens academy with limited 30 slots

Rio Rancho Police Department is launching a 10-week citizens academy beginning Feb. 17 designed to deepen community ties and give residents a closer look at local policing. The free program is limited to 30 participants and is open to Rio Rancho residents or business owners aged 18 and older; the registration deadline is Feb. 10.

Classes meet Tuesday nights from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m., a 3 hour 15 minute session, totaling roughly 32.5 hours of instruction across the full program. Organizers say the curriculum will let participants meet officers from different divisions, observe K-9 and SWAT demonstrations, and take either a ride-along with an officer or a sit-along with dispatch, providing an inside view of frontline duties and emergency communications.

The academy is pitched as both an informational program and a bridge-building exercise between police and the community. Capt. Nick Amey framed participation as crucial to solving serious crimes: "That's what actually solves big crimes. You look at some of the suspects we've been after, we wouldn't have found them had a citizen not tipped off police as to where they were at. Actually, having community engagement and participation with the police, trusting us to do what we're sworn to do, is paramount." That emphasis on tips and cooperation highlights the academy’s practical role in crime prevention and public safety.

For local business owners and working residents, the Tuesday evening schedule minimizes daytime disruption but still requires a consistent weekly commitment. Small-business operators, who are eligible, can gain operational insights into emergency response and public safety that may inform their security planning and customer communications. Because the program is free, financial barriers are low; the primary cost is time, about eight and a half hours per week including travel and the classroom session.

From a policy perspective, citizen academies are one tool municipal departments use to strengthen legitimacy and reduce friction between law enforcement and the public. For Rio Rancho, the limited enrollment suggests the department is aiming for small-group interaction that can foster sustained relationships rather than broad-stroke outreach.

If you miss this winter session, organizers expect to run another academy in the fall. Register by Feb. 10 to secure one of the 30 spots, and plan your schedule around the weekly Tuesday evenings. Our two cents? Treat it like a neighborhood civic investment: carve out the time, bring questions, and consider how a better understanding of police operations could help protect your family, customers, and business.