about freedom of speech provides stu-
dents with real-world application of the
Constitution. The value of these discus-
sions also allows officers to share their
points of view while dealing with tough
situations and the decisions they make
to ultimately ensure safety in the com-
munity.
“We explain through various scenar-
ios how individuals have control over
whether they act in a way that mitigates
the problem or aggravates the problem,”
Craparotta stressed. “We try to get them
to see officers as partners in safety rather
than adversaries.”
On the first day of class, Trigg asks a
question that makes it easy to measure
the success of the program each year.
“Raise your hand if you do not like the
cops,” the officer of 25 years will prompt
the class. Despite the presence of uni-
formed officials in the classroom, there’s
always a select few teenagers who fear-
lessly put their hands up.
“By the time we get to the last session,
those same students have a different im-
pression of who the police are, and they
have a new appreciation for what we do,”
Trigg attested.
Providing the opportunity for students
and officers to share perspectives toward
the law honestly and openly is exactly
what Caputo envisioned when he first
set out to create a program that extend-
ed into high school. As the Law Enforce-
ment Collaborative continues in New
Brunswick, he envisions a shift in how
young people encounter the police.
“At its core, the program will enable the
students to have a better understanding
of our officers and the realities of law
enforcement,” Caputo detailed. “At the
same time, our officers will have a better
understanding of our students and their
perceptions of law enforcement.”
When Craparotta looks around the
hallways of New Brunswick High School
and sees students high-fiving officers
and having a vested interest in the law
enforcement field, she knows that the
program is doing what it set out to do.
Thanks to the Law Enforcement Collab-
orative, the future is bright in the city of
New Brunswick.
“We need to use every tool in our tool-
box, because law enforcement is a tough
career,” she attested. “If we can foster a
better community relationship and, at
the same time, get young people interest-
ed in the field, that’s a home run.”
www.njcopsmagazine.com
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