Beyond the Badge program

RPD connecting with the community

For the second year in a row the rochester police department is introducing newly sworn officers to community resources and helping them build partnerhips to better serve the community.

Today new trainees completed the beyond the badge program..kimt new three's jessica bringe joins us live in rochester with what officers say they've learned.

Katie and georgeá over the past three days officer trainees have teamed up with community partners... like the salvation army and the boys and girls club..

With the goal of learning about each of the organizations and the services they provide.

Where i first went yesterday is bear creek services" today á rochester police officer trainees are sharing their experiences with command staff after participating in the beyond the badge á community partnership program the hope is to extend and go beyond just having a police presence in the community really knowing how to serve each organization that's providing services to better the community.

Training sergeant paul gronholz (grunáholtz) says ten newly sworn in officers particpated in the program..

That's in its second year.

We want officers to be approachable.

We set the tone for them.

This is their first week of employment with the city of rochester, with the police department so hopefully they'll continue that throughout their career.

Officers were given the opportunity to work with community partners including the women's shelter..

And the salvation army during a day of service.

It's a good way for them to start to make those contacts with key organizations within the community it also sets the tone for their career here in rochester.

We're a department that values volunteering, values being part of the community.

And police officer trainee luke hulshizer (hulláschizer) tells me the experience has been a rewarding one that he believes has given him a strong base to build his career on.

I think this will make me a better officer because i now understand a lot of the resources we have available in the community to offer to people and resources that they may not even know the department tells me that since the program began community partners are more willing to call the police if they need assistance.

Live in rochester jessica bringe kimt news three.

The department says having positive interactions with the community goes hand in hand with being a good police officer.