According to research from Gallup, over the past year, confidence in the police has risen among most major demographic subgroups of Americans. This is after hitting a record low of 43% in 2023. 

One police department in upstate New York is allowing residents to learn about police procedures and what they do as officers. It's an effort to build trust in the community.

Carlos Morocho is the son of Ecuadorian immigrants who now gives back to the immigrant community here in New York. 

“I saw how hard they had to work and how much they had to sacrifice in order to support me and my brothers. And every time I walk through the neighborhood, I see it. I see it on a daily basis. And it just resonates with me," said Morocho.

He works for the Legal Project, a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services to people who need it. Morocho decided to participate in the Citizens Police Academy where he lives. It allows residents to learn abut the strengths and weaknesses of the department, what police do and procedures they follow.

Morocho says many people he works with are from countries with corrupt police forces, which can lead to distrust.

“I  wanted to be that branch that connects them to Albany police, and let them know that not every police officer is corrupt," Morocho said.

He and others in the course were learning about correct firearm procedures police follow and reenacting potential scenarios that cops could find themselves in. According to research from Gallup, faith in the police nationwide dipped to a record low of 43% last year. 

“Trust is critical because we can't gain legitimacy if they don't trust us. And trust and legitimacy are the two buzzwords that we're hearing throughout the country in terms of police-community relations, and in this academy truly does help us to build trust," says Eric Hawkins, Albany Police chief.