PHOTO #1: Residents who earned the title of Distinguished Citizen in 2024 pose for a photo with City leaders during a City Council meeting.

The City of Victoria offers three educational programs at no cost to residents who want to learn more about their local government, and a special honor awaits residents who complete all three.

The City confers the title of Distinguished Citizen to residents who complete Citizens Academy, the Civilian Police Academy and the Civilian Responder Program (formerly the Civilian Fire Academy).

Distinguished Citizens will receive a plaque recognizing their achievement and will be recognized during a City Council meeting in November.

The programs are scheduled to give residents the option of completing all three in one calendar year. Residents who have already completed one of the programs will be prioritized in admissions to the other two programs.

About the programs

PHOTO #2: Citizens Academy participants listen to a presentation by Environmental Services Director Christy Youker, one of about 15 presenters representing various City departments and partner organizations. 

Citizens Academy, hosted by the City’s Communications & Public Affairs department, provides curious residents with an in-depth look at the different functions of City government. Residents will hear from City leaders on topics including economics, emergency services, infrastructure, entertainment and community development, and they’ll also have opportunities to ask questions and network. The program cultivates residents’ personal growth as informed and engaged citizens, helping them to better understand their local government and showing them how they can get involved or even serve on a local board and commission.

Applications are currently open for the 2026 academy, which will begin on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Space is limited, and residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the Oct. 31 deadline. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/citizensacademy. 

PHOTO #3: Civilian Police Academy participants take part in a simulated building search at an abandoned building.

The Civilian Police Academy, hosted by the Victoria Police Department, is designed to give participants a working knowledge of their police department. Law enforcement officials will teach attendees how their police department works through a combination of classroom lessons and exciting “hands-on” simulations and experiences related to police work and training. Topics include building searches, firearm safety, crime scene searches, traffic stops K-9 tactics and SWAT. In addition to attending the class sessions, each participant will complete a ride-along with a patrol officer.

The 2026 academy will begin in February. Applications are accepted throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/police. 

PHOTO #4: Civilian Responder Program participants observe a Jaws of Life demonstration at the Victoria Fire Department training facility.

The Civilian Responder Program, hosted by the Victoria Fire Department, gives residents the chance to experience firefighting and EMS activities hands-on. Participants will become familiar with ambulances and fire trucks, use the Jaws of Life to cut apart a wrecked vehicle, learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and rappel down the side of a building. Participants will also learn critical first-aid skills such as how to control serious bleeding, perform hands-only CPR, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and administer Narcan.

The 2026 program will begin in May. Applications will open a few months before the program begins. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire.