By Sarah Roebuck
Police1
DENVER — The latest recruits at the Denver Police Department are taking part in its new Before the Blue and Beyond the Badge program, KDVR reports.
The goal of the new program is to help recruits build relationships and learn about the community before they start patrolling.
“Before we graduate them and send them to their respective districts, give them an opportunity to really see various cultures and communities, really see through those lenses,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told KDVR. “I think it’s important they have that exposure, have that experience before we expect them to patrol in those communities.”
The newest class of 56 recruits started their orientation on Monday. This class is the largest class since 1986 and the first to go through this program.
Throughout the week-long orientation program, recruits will speak with residents and meet people transitioning from various levels of incarceration, according to KDVR. The police department hopes to expose new recruits to experiences, concerns and expectations of people in the community.