San Bernardino Police Officers Connect With Youth, Community

Five law enforcement officers from the San Bernardino Police Department connected with youth and community members at a Town Hall meeting organized by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ Police Training Institute (PTI) in partnership with the Youth Action Project and the Young Visionaries Leadership Institute.

“What happens across our nation can and does have a direct impact upon the members of our community. As public confidence in law enforcement is tested many of our residents both young and old may have similar questions and concerns. As police officers, it is imperative that we listen to and address the needs of the members of our community,“ said Chief Jarrod Burguan of the San Bernardino Police Department. "Establishing open lines of communication creates greater understanding from the public of our role and us of their concerns. This forum is an excellent opportunity for us to continue to foster and build upon those relationships. We eagerly look forward to this continued endeavor.”

San Bernardino Police Detective Nelson Carrington talks with students after Town Hall panel.

The Town Hall event in San Bernardino provided a safe space for youth, community members and law enforcement to gather and openly share ideas on how to enhance communication between police and residents. The event kicks off a sixteen-hour, two-day training program entitled, “Connecting Youth & Communities with Law Enforcement” (CYCLE).

“It was a great opportunity for youth in our community to come out and have their voices heard,” said Terrance Stone, CEO of the Young Visionaries Leadership Institute. “If we want to make our community a better place, we need to walk the walk and talk the talk, and I think today shows that the law enforcement community in San Bernardino is really listening to what the community has to say.”

Student poses with the bike that he won at the San Bernardino Town Hall event.

Twenty-one San Bernardino police officers will participate in the CYCLE training, which is led by current and former public safety professionals. CYCLE provides first responders with tools and techniques to help them effectively and peacefully resolve conflict and encourages positive interactions with young people. The curriculum is designed to enhance public safety, reduce violence, and reduce negative experiences for community members.

“In the end, we hope to encourage more positive interactions between police and young people, and opening up the channels of communications is a good first step in that process,” said Joseph Williams, Executive Director and Founder of the Youth Action Project. “The turnout tonight indicates that people in this community want to be engaged, they want their voices heard.”