Dozens of kids in the Springs enjoy hands-on experience at “Get to Know the Police” day

Dozens of kids were at the Colorado Springs Police Department Tuesday afternoon. Don’t worry, they weren’t in trouble.

It was all part of “Get to Know the Police Day.”

More than 160 kids met with officers, learned about safety and got a firsthand look at some of the gadgets officers use everyday on the streets. The officers showed the kids a bomb squad robot, brought out a dog from the K-9 unit and allowed many children to sit in the back of a police car.

“This is the future generation of Colorado Springs,” Officer Robert Wilson said. “It’s important to teach kids at this age that they can trust the police, that they’ll be able to call us when they’re older and rely on us when there’s an emergency.”

Mary Marshall brought her 9-year-old grandson Cameron to the event.

“The community needs to know what the police station is all about,” Marshall said. “This gives the children and the adults a chance to see it hands on.”

These kids and officers showed one’s never too young to start building a positive relationship with the community’s protectors.