For law enforcement officers looking for new ways to spark community engagement, the Warrenton Police Department’s “See it in a Different Light” program may provide inspiration. The department has partnered with the Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center to offer an interactive educational experience, allowing citizens to put themselves in the shoes of police officers.
The program recruits adult citizens from the community to sign up for one of the sessions, where they will role-play as an officer during a set of specific scenarios.
The goal of the program is to educate the public about the varied set of skills that police officers must employ, and the complex decisions they must make in the field – all while protecting the public, focusing on personal safety, and performing their professional responsibilities.
Participants will also learn conflict resolution strategies designed to mitigate escalation during a heated interaction. Learn more in the video below.