First Grade Students Learn Roles of Police Officers

From Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School: First-grade students at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School in Croton-on- Hudson learned police officers’ primary purpose in the community is to help, thanks to a visit from a local detective.

“We can help you stay safe and you can ask police officers for help if you need it,” said Detective Paul Camillieri, who is one of the Croton-on- Hudson Police Department’s youth officers, during his annual visit to the school.

Det. Camillieri shared with students that he has been a police officer in Croton-on-Hudson for 18 years and has lived in the community for 13 years. First-graders, who study communities, learned that they should call 911 when they experience an emergency at home and need police, fire department or ambulance assistance.

Det. Camillieri also reminded students not to speak with strangers and to firmly say “no” if approached by someone unfamiliar to them. He showed students the practical uses for his uniform and the equipment he carries, including his badge for identification, handcuffs, gloves and a pocketknife in case someone is trapped in a seatbelt after a car accident.

The visits throughout the week of April 17 ended with a tour of the police vehicle. Students had an opportunity to peek at the equipment in the cars, including safety cones and police tape, as well as see the sirens in action and speak into the megaphone.

To help students remember what they learned, Det. Camillieri distributed activity books that offer information about the role of police, saying “no” to strangers and using helmets when riding bicycles and scooters.

Images Courtesy of Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary