with
Lt. Guy M. Steward, Union County Prosecutor’s Office
(Recipient of the UCHRC Unity Achievement Award
by Law Enforcement, 2002),
one of the key creators of the PATT Program
by
Gabriel Gluck, Star Ledger Reporter
(Recipient of the UCHRC Unity Achievement Award by the Media, 2006)
who asked what the students will learn from this experience
“My experience in being an officer in numerous car stops is that perhaps with this type of program both students and officers would have a better understanding of what is expected from each of us. The kids will learn from it because they will understand better why it is we approach a vehicle a certain way.
“The students will not be necessarily aware, because they do not do our jobs, that when we receive certain information, there is a certain way we have to conduct ourselves, and a certain way we have to approach people and deal with people based upon the information we receive. I think this will give them a better understanding why we are so aggressive when we stop a motor vehicle for a particular reason.
“Even if it is a minor motor vehicle stop, we do not know what that individual has just done, so safety is always a key issue.
“The students will get a better once they go through the practical exercise. The classroom portion is basically explaining us as people and as a police officer.
When they have the opportunity to walk in our shoes and see how stressful it can be, they appreciate it more, and they appreciate us more.” |
