Citizen Outreach Program (COP)

COP Program Overview

The Bowling Green Police Division is excited to host their second Citizen Outreach Program (COP) on May 12th and 19th, 2022, from 6:00 PM- 9:30 PM, to give community members a direct experience of what they do for the City. “The Citizen Outreach Program was developed as an effort to engage community members on a more personal level, create an opportunity for dialogue and build trust. It is part of a greater effort that began with the July 2020 racial equity resolution passed by City Council. This program, coupled with the Police Liaison to Communities of Color and engagement with citizen groups, is designed to build positive relationships and transparency,” said Chief Hetrick.

This program is organized by Lieutenant Ryan Tackett, Sgt. Doug Hartman, Sgt. Gordon Finger, Sgt. Jeff Lowery, Sgt. Scott Frank, Officer Noel Crawford, Officer Brian Crites, Officer Kris Garman, Officer Matt Robinson, Officer Caleb Kusmierek, and Officer Vinny Snyder.

In this two-part series, citizens will see and experience how Officers train to observe, orient, decide, and react in highly stressful situations.

Topic Areas of the Program:

Patrol Operations (Public Safety, Traffic Enforcement, Criminal Enforcement)
BGPD Tour
Crisis Negotiations and Special Response Teams
K9 Unit and Demonstration
Traffic Stops
Investigations
De-escalation Techniques & Use of Force
Firearm Safety and Use at BGPD Firing Range
Defensive Tactics

At the completion of the program, participants were offered the opportunity to participate in a ride-along to experience what a real shift is like.

Register:

The Citizen Outreach Program will be repeated twice a year. Those who are interested in participating in this program, should complete the Citizen Outreach Program Application.

Questions should be referred to Lieutenant Ryan Tackett by phone 419-352-1131 or Email.

“This program in an important step in our effort to help our citizens better understand the experiences of our Officers as they work to police for our community. Transparent policies and procedures are vital to building trust and establishing positive relationships with all of our residents. I’m grateful to those residents who participated in the program and for the effort of our hardworking Police Division for developing the program. We understand the process will be ongoing, but we’re committed to it, and I look forward to these continued and meaningful conversations,” - Mayor Aspacher

“I feel the Citizen Outreach Program is an amazing way for law enforcement to foster community trust. The program allowed citizens an opportunity to learn about their local law enforcement agency’s culture, core values, and the overall operations of their department. [It] provided citizens with a first-hand look at what officers may encounter on a day-to-day basis, as well as a better understanding of the job of being a police officer. My favorite part of the COP program was being put through a series of high-stress scenarios where you were given very little information blindly and told to handle the scenario to the best of your ability. The officers did a phenomenal job and I really appreciated how they talked individually to each citizen afterward about what they could have done differently as well as praising them for what they did well. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting the opportunity to not only properly handle a firearm, but getting to shoot one as well. I really feel this program is an effective way to enhance the relationship between the public and our law enforcement,”- Paula Hoiles, a program participant.

Citizen Outreach Program (COP)

COP Program Overview

Topic Areas of the Program:

Register:

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