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Pennsylvania State Police Host Youth and Law Enforcement Forum

05/30/2023

CONTACT: Lt. Adam Reed or Myles Snyder, ra-pspcomm@pa.gov

Hershey, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) hosted forty-eight students from the Milton Hershey School as part of the Youth and Law Enforcement Forum. The students, troopers, and cadets participated in panel discussions, training sessions, and scenarios to improve trust and better understand each other. The forum also allows the PSP cadets to connect and communicate on a personal level with the participating students.

"Building trust and fostering understanding is a key goal of law enforcement interactions with young people today," said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris. "Finding common ground and building positive relationships makes Pennsylvania a better place for all of us."

The day began with a panel discussion between students and PSP members. Topics included police use of force and how to improve the overall interaction between law enforcement and young people. Small group discussions, which focused on hurdles between law enforcement and young people, were then held. The day concluded with scenarios to identify existing problems, problem solve these issues, and gain new perspectives on behalf of the students and participating law enforcement personnel.

This interactive forum was the fourth of its kind hosted by PSP since 2018.  It began as a team effort between PSP and the Milton Hershey School, originally organized by the Milton Hershey School's Law, Public Safety, and Security Instructor Paul Gaspich, who is also a retired PSP captain.

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