The San Diego Police Foundation Saturday hosted an “Inside SDPD” behind-the-scenes event to promote trust in the department through education and understanding of what it means to be a police officer.
Attendees moved through various scenarios such as vehicle stops and a how-to taser station at Police Plaza in Kearny Mesa.
“I think this opens up a great avenue for people to understand what it is that officers do. This gives an open look at the training and the ins and outs of how the department functions and how police officers make the decisions that they do,” said Officer Joshua Hodge, now a training coordinator for the department.
At each station, police officers explained the scenario and equipment used. Attendees were then able to walk through the situation as a police officer would — even getting to fire taser blanks at targets and call in the K9 unit. Officers opened the floor to questions at each station, allowing guests to learn more about the inner workings of policing.
The event lasted just over three hours, beginning with a use-of-force presentation from Sergeant Mike Rhoten. Rhoten used audience volunteers to demonstrate how quickly resistance levels can change and how fast police officers have to respond to new factors.
“We are not superhuman. We cannot just have a crystal ball, read the tea leaves and be able to understand what is about to happen. We can’t,” Rhoten said during the presentation.
Shane Luther, from Spring Valley, was one of the audience volunteers during Rhoten’s presentation. Luther hopes to become a cop, partially inspired by his brother, who is a police officer in Montana.
“I think the fact that the San Diego Police Department is willing to put on an event just shows that they’re trying to be transparent with the community. They’re not perfect, but the fact that they are trying shows,” Luther said.
The ticketed event encouraged donations to the San Diego Police Foundation, which helps fund new equipment and supports all K-9 units within the department.
“Inside SDPD” is not the only program of its kind. The department has worked with citizen advisory boards and the Commission on Police Practices. According to Hodge, the department has also collaborated with community groups, putting on the same presentation at several recreation centers.
“I think it’s great that we have people who are eager, who want to learn about law enforcement in general,” Hodge said. “It also opens up the avenues for communication. If they don’t have an understanding, this allows them to ask questions and present us with a way to explain how and when we do things.”
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