The program, which is being reintroduced as the Community Police Academy, is part of RPD Police Chief Rico Boyce's strategic priority to enhance community engagement.
The department said participants will get a first-hand account of what it means to protect and serve the community.
"It's an opportunity for the community to know more about what we do and how we operate. Because, again, you think you know, but do you really know?" said RPD Maj. Renae Lockhart. "And so now they can sit in those seats, learn more about what we do, engage with police officers and personnel that work with the Raleigh Police Department."
Classes will be held one evening a week for nine weeks, and will explore various topics, including arrests, youth services, and crisis intervention. The class will also include reality-based training demonstrations.
Applications for the program will be available until Aug. 21, and are limited to people who are at least 21 years old and live or work in the City of Raleigh.
The program is set to begin on Oct. 2.