Fort Walton Beach Police Open Doors with Citizens’ Police Academy

FORT WALTON BEACH — Residents of Okaloosa County will soon have a chance to step inside the world of law enforcement.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is now accepting participants for its next Citizens’ Police Academy, an eight-week program designed to give community members an in-depth look at how local policing works — from patrol operations to crime scene investigations.

The academy begins Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, and will meet weekly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday through March 26, 2026.

The program is built around transparency, education, and partnership, offering participants firsthand exposure to the training and responsibilities officers face each day. Topics include police training, DUI procedures, community policing, K-9 operations, traffic homicide investigations, and crime scene processing, among others.

Participants are also encouraged to take part in a ride-along, allowing them to join an officer during a patrol shift to observe day-to-day operations in real time.

The Citizens’ Police Academy is free and open to individuals who live or work in Okaloosa County. Participants must be at least 18 years old to enroll.

Those interested in applying or learning more are encouraged to contact Master Police Officer Marcus Montgomery at mmontgomery@fwb.org. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged.