Community Education

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print
Community members gather with a uniformed officer at a playground.

Community Education Unit

Community Education Coordinators are assigned to the city by sector. Contact them for any crime prevention, crime trend, community education needs.

Community Police Academy

Registration for the 2024 Fall Basic Community Police Academy is now closed. Check back here February 2025 for information on the 2025 Spring Basic Community Police Academy. 

The Community Police Academy is free and open to any adult 18 years or older that lives, works, or has an interest in the City of Kent and its police department. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For security reasons all applicants must pass a background check. Persons with a felony conviction or recent misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible to participate.

The Community Police Academy is delivered in a series of classes that offer straightforward, candid information regarding daily and specialized operations of the police department, while defining the agency’s role in the community. A wide range of law enforcement topics will be discussed to include an overview of law enforcement, recruiting, traffic enforcement, investigations, narcotics, gangs, community education, use of force, stress and chaplaincy, and K-9.  Click here to see a sample agenda of class topics.  Contact swood@kentwa.gov with any questions. 

 

Drug Take Back Day 

We are partnering with the DEA for a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday October 26th from 10:00-2:00pm. We will be in front of the Kent Police Department (220 4th Ave S.) off of 4th Ave. S. You can drive up and drop your medications with us. This is a great opportunity to safely get rid of any unwanted/expired medications. Here is information on what we can and cannot take. pded_126641_PD Prescription Take Back Poster (1) (1)

 

Event and Meeting Requests

If you are interested in having any member of the Kent Police Department attend your event or meeting, we ask that you fill out this form completely. Examples of events and meeting requests include school events, church events, community-based events, booths, crime prevention presentations, Neighborhood Block Watch presentations, etc.  Once you complete the form, click submit and a member of our Community Education Unit will reach out with any questions and let you know the status of your request. 

Please give us 30 days notice for any event or meeting request. If there is not 30 days notice, we cannot guarantee we will be able to accommodate your request. 

 Event Request Form 

National Night Out 

 Thank you to everyone who participated in 2024 National Night Out festivities!  Save the date for NNO 2025 - Tuesday, August 5th. Information on Kent's 2025 NNO will be posted here around June 2025.

In Kent, for NNO you must register your event with us in order to get visitors from the City of Kent to stop by your event and say hi and share some food and fun. Some neighborhoods have  potlucks, food trucks, desserts, games, talent shows. The sky is the limit! 

NNO is also a good time to set up a block watch or bring an old one back to life. You can have a map of your neighborhood set up so neighbors can sign up on the map with their information. 

See below for more information on registering and things to consider for your event. 

 What is National Night Out?

National Night Out (NNO) is a time for neighbors to get together and "Give Crime a Going Away Party."  

Where Do I Start?

Think about what kind of event will work for you and your neighborhood.  Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?  Who is your target audience?  Examples of past events: barbecues, potlucks, desserts, ice cream socials, music and games.  The options are endless.

  • Find help  so that you can divide up the work.  Determine the best place in your neighborhood to have the event and then identify start and end times for your event.  Typical events run from 5 - 9 p.m.
  • Make a list of everything needed for your event such as tents, tables, chairs, plates, silverware, and napkins.  
  • Designate a photographer!  Everyone will love to have pictures of the event afterwards and we use photos for the NNO award application. Email them to us!
  •  Give your neighbors plenty of notice: flyers, emails, printed invitations, social media. 
  • Here is a fillable invitation to complete and give to your neighbors.  
  • On National Night Out, have someone pick up giveaways at the Kent Police Department
  • Have name tags for everyone - it's easier to break the ice with a name.
  • Make visiting teams feel welcome.  And, make sure you invite them to have some food.  Visiting teams can consist of city officials such as the mayor and city council members, police officers, fire fighters, and other city employees.

For more information, Valley and West Hill neighborhoods contact Sara Wood at swood@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5856. East Hill neighborhoods contact Stacy Judd at sjudd@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5883.

Block Watch 101

Your Kent Police Community Education Unit and Neighborhood Response Team offers Block Watch 101 classes to help residents form organization neighborhood Block Watch groups.

Our next Block Watch 101 Class is on Thursday October 24, 2024 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at City Hall Council Chambers (220 4th Ave S). Bring a neighbor or two with you (it's always better to work with others).

Why should you attend? It's proven to reduce crime in neighborhoods. Plus, you will hear about:

The latest crime trends/prevention
How & why to set up a block watch
Refresher on maintaining a block watch
Hear from other block watch captains on what has worked and 
     what hasn't

Please RSVP or direct questions to:
West Hill/Valley  swood@kentwa.gov
East Hill   sjudd@kentwa.gov 

Block Watch is a proven crime prevention program that encourages neighbors to look out for each other.  Contact a Community Education Coordinator for more information.

Kent PD Block Watch Brochure

Graffiti

The best graffiti prevention is quick removal. It should also be reported so that Kent PD has a record of it. To report graffiti call 253-856-GRAF or file an online report.

To remove graffiti:

  • If it is your property, remove quickly
  • If it is private property, the owner must remove or sign a waiver with Kent PD for our monitored work release crew to cover.
  • If it is City property, please report it and we will work with the correct department for clean up.

If you see that graffiti has remained, please contact your Community Education Coordinator and we will work with the property owner or Code Enforcement.

CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - Reducing crime by changing the environment - locks, latches, lighting, landscaping, design, natural surveillance, and encouraging legitimate users of property. Here is a great checklist to use while checking your home through a crime prevention lense! 

Trespass Program

The City of Kent offers property owners an opportunity to be involved in a Trespass Enforcement Authorization Program. This partnership provides the Kent Police Department authorization to contact and question persons who may be unlawfully occupying the property after business hours.

 For more information and to get a Trespass Authorization form, please contact:

East Hill - Stacy Judd 253-856-5883  sjudd@kentwa.gov

Valley/West Hill - Sara Wood 253-856-5856  swood@kentwa.gov

Traffic Safety

Traffic crashes are a significant source of injury burden in King County each year. Kent Police is home to the South King County Target Zero Manager, a partially funded position from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), who is responsible for the implementation and coordination of special, high visibility law enforcement emphasis patrols throughout the South King County area and overall traffic safety work. Kent Police and other King County police departments work to prevent traffic crashes and reduce death and serious injury among people who suffer a crash. We partner with WTSC which has many traffic safety programs to work towards "0" serious injury and fatal collisions on our roadways.

Washington Traffic Safety Commission

Traffic safety topics:

Target Zero

Target Zero is a statewide initiative aimed at building traffic safety partnerships throughout the state to align priorities and leverage resources to improve traffic safety. The state's Strategic Highway Safety Plan has incorporated the Target Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero by the year 2030.

Vehicle Theft Prevention

Tips from the WA Auto Theft Prevention Authority

Kent Traffic School

Traffic School is Temporarily Closed-Check back at a later date 

Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS)

 Volunteers In Police Service (VIPS) is a group of community members who assist Kent Police Department employees providing services to the community. 

The Kent Police Department is proud to have a team of volunteers who help with the following programs:

  • Disabled parking enforcement 
  • Fingerprinting services for Concealed Pistol License applicants who live within Kent city limits (volunteers do not fingerprint suspects or prisoners)
  • TNT (Tagging Neutralization Team - graffiti removal)
  • Volunteer Patrol
  • Assist with community events

Do you want to join the VIPS Team?

The selection criteria includes:

  • Legal U.S. resident
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Live, work, or have an interest in the City of Kent
  • Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record
  • No criminal record and/or association with criminal activity
  • No substance abuse issues

Once accepted, the Police Department will schedule appropriate orientation. We provide all training, uniforms, and necessary equipment.

If you are interested please email sjudd@kentwa.gov 

You can also print and complete the application. Mail or drop it off at the Kent Police Department.

Kent Police Student Board

Board Members:

  • Kent middle & senior high school students
  • Work together to plan and implement the Game of Life Youth Conference!
  • Implement youth board driven projects that focus on drug/alcohol prevention, health, wellness, leadership development and much more
  • Receive hours for community service
  • Can put youth board on college applications

How often does the Youth Board meet?

Youth board members meet 2-3 times per month on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00 at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center.

How do I apply to be on the Youth Board?

Complete & return the application and 2 personal recommendation forms.
Contact Stacy Judd at (253) 856-5883 or sjudd@kentwa.gov for more information.

Value Statement

As a member of the youth board we will…

  • Have a positive influence on our peers toward making healthy choices
  • Be driven by our genuine care and interest of making a difference
  • Value our friendships in and outside of the youth board
  • Respect ourselves and others with an open mind
  • Strive to uphold our strong integrity through our actions and words

2017 Game of Life Video

https://vimeo.com/250344948

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Download Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Download Windows Media Player Word Viewer Download Word Viewer Excel Viewer Download Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer Download PowerPoint Viewer

Brochures and Resources