Community Services Division

This unit combines sworn officers and non-sworn personnel to perform many services for the community. They focus on safety, support, information and education.

For information on any of the programs listed below, contact Community Services by email or phone, 859-885-9944 or 859-885-9467.

Chaplaincy Program
Spearheaded by Police Chaplain Jim Harrison, this program provides support to Nicholasville police and the community. Volunteer service and contributions are provided by NPD volunteers to help citizens who need assistance, such as providing Christmas gifts for the needy.

Citizen’s Police Academy
The Citizen’s Police Academy provides residents the opportunity to learn about police operations. Through a series of lectures, field trips and simulated activities, citizens are prvided training similar to that of an actual police officer. The Academy if of benefit to the community and the department because it builds relationships and creates a cadre of citizens who are better informed about the reality of police work.

Nicholasville police personnel conduct the classes on Thursday nights for 12 weeks from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Program graduates may become members of the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association. Most classes are conducted at Lockmaster's, located at 1014 S. Main Street. Some off-site visits are made to other relevant locations.

A sample curriculum follows:
Overview of Dept. Operations and Organizations
Criminal Justice Systems
Patrol Operations
Criminal Investigations and Drug Enforcement
Defensive Tactics and Use of Force
Building Searches and Felony Traffic Stops
Sepcial Operations
Emergency Response Team & HOspitage Negotiations Team
Policy and Procedures and Internal Affairs
Community Service and D.A.R.E. Program
Chaplaincy Program
Kid I.D. Program
Honor Guard
Bike Patrol
Firearms

To become a Citizen’s Police Academy Cadet, applicants must be:
- 21 years of age
- have no felony convictions
- reside in, work or own a business in Nicholasville/Jessamine County
- able to pass a criminal history check

To apply, simply submit the Citizen’s Police Academy Application to the NPD, Community Services Division, 510 North Main Street at any time and you will be notified regarding your acceptance and the next available session.

For additional information, contact Community Services.

D.A.R.E. Program
Drug Awarenss Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is an international program designed to equip youth with the information and skills to stand firm against pressures to use illegal drugs. It is implemented by NPD in cooperation with schools and corporate and individual donors. The primary program is 17-week curriculum reaching all Nicholasville 5th graders. K-4, middle and high school instruction is also included.

Kid I.D. Program Jessamine County parents can have their children photographed and fingerprinted to have on file to help in locating a missing or runaway juvenile or for identification. For details, contact Community Services.

Neighborhood Watch/Homeland Security
Residents who would like to take steps to make their neighborhood a safer place to live, work and play may organize a watch program with the support of police officers. Through periodic meetings, officers provide helpful suggestions and guidelines on how citizens may protect themselves while not putting themselves or others in danger or infringing on others’ constitutional rights. The NPD keeps watch groups informed of occurrences and legal issues.

Nicholasville police work with other officials at all levels to help prevent and prepare for the event of security threats. The following links provide current information about homeland security on state and national levels:
KY Office of Homeland Security
US Department of Homeland Security

Public Information Office
To enhance communication with the public, a public information officer (PIO) serves as a liaison between the media and the police chief. The PIO issues releases and makes statements on major police and criminal events within the department’s jurisdiction. The authorization of any release issued is the sole responsibility of the PIO and based only on the authorization of the police chief.

News releases and other related materials are available on this department’s site under News/Media.