Cincinnati.com / May 13, 2017
Two classes of Roberts Academy students came to Cincinnati Police Academy Friday as part of the Adopt A Class program. Tiffaney Hardy, police communications director, said the department adopts more than 10 classes throughout the city each year.
“The kids are very excited to experience this,” said Ron Wendth, English language arts teacher. “One of the things we’ve been trying to do is let them see what police officers are like when they’re out of the news, notice that they’re real people.”
“Dang!” several kids exclaimed when they were told the recruits had to pass a 200-question state exam to become officers. They were also shocked to learn the full grown men standing in front of them still had to take spelling tests.
The children were also taught about deescalation and compliance as the recruits ran through a simulation.
Specialist Scotty Johnson has taken Abdoulaye Koundoul under his wing. Abdoulaye is interested in joining the SWAT team if he doesn’t become an NFL player. Johnson said he hopes kids like Abdoulaye can see that anything is possible if they apply themselves.
“To see this guy’s face light up and these kids having a great time, this is really a good thing and good time for us also,” Johnson said. “There’s no goal that too high for them. We all came from the same backgrounds, and they’re able to do all the great things we’ve been able to accomplish.”