CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Three officers with the Clarksville Police Department (CPD) recently spent time with local cub scouts to teach them about forensics and bicycle safety.
Officers Jennifer Szczerbiak, Kellie Belgarde, and Kayla Billotte met with Cub Scout Pack 185 this month to show the children lessons about law enforcement through a fun, hands-on learning experience.
For the forensics lesson, officers took fingerprint samples from the third graders to analyze them. The scouts also examined samples of salt, baking soda, flour, and sugar to determine which was which based on smell and texture.
During the bicycle safety lesson for the first graders, the kids were able to learn and demonstrate the proper use of helmets and safety gear while memorizing the correct hand signals to use on the road.
They also learned about bicycle laws.
“We were able to interact with the kids and with their families on a different level than what they see us at,” Officer Szczerbiak said. “We’re able to get down to their level, really interact with them, answer their questions, and let them play. No strings attached, no call for service or emergency. They see you as other human beings.”
She said the goal of the officers when interacting with children is to create positive community role models.