About forty Sarasota residents got to feel first hand what it’s like to be a police officer. The department held a use of force class.
“The citizens that come out get to see what our officers go through on a daily basis,” said Deputy chief Patrick Robinson.
The residents act as police officers during various scenarios such as a traffic stop or a domestic dispute.
“This helps break the stigma in people where they say the cops should have done this or that,”said Robinson.
Tonya Crenshaw enjoyed the opportunity so much that she may join the police academy.
“I want to make a difference, I want to go out there and help my community,” said Crenshaw.
Less than five percent of the arrests in Sarasota last year required the use of force.
