AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department sees a need to strengthen partnerships with the community, especially after several police-involved shootings.
So, officials are giving these civilians an opportunity to see dangerous and perhaps deadly situations from law enforcement's perspective. In the simulation, participants experience the split-second life-and-death situations police officers have to make.
“It was stressful, I was nervous” said Rachel Robinson, an Austin resident. “It was very unexpected, wondering what the pitfalls or the turns might be. It was intimidating in a way because you don’t know what you're up against.”
Much like cadets in the academy, the students have to rely on their "response to resistance training" and act fast.
"[The goal is] to show citizens that what officers have to deal with and go through when they come up on a scenario and to let them know that not all officers react out of anger," said Sharon Cannon, the APD community liaison.
The exercise was just one portion of the second I.C.A.R.E Conference, which aims to improve police-community relations. It was an eye opening experience for both sides.
“Us having a better understanding of what the community has questions about and the community having a better understanding of what we have to do as police officer and the role that we play in the community, so we can work together to solve the problems and the divides,” said Sergeant Lance White of APD.
"You will never have the full story unless you were there present. Trying not to look at everything what it appears to be and trying to learn what actually happened," Robinson said.
She believes the conference serves a first step of a continued dialogue.
“What I'm told [APD has] an open door policy, so you know just go down there and say ‘Hi’ or whatever,” Robin said. “We’re supposed to be a community regardless of what our title is, we’re still human and we should come together."
Throughout the four-day event, participants also learned about mental health training, fair and impartial policing, security of religious institutions, and crisis intervention.
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