Law Enforcement Officers Join Students for a Day of Learning

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and Eastside High School will present a BLAST Program event on Tuesday to approximately 75 students.

Event: BLAST Program

Location:
Eastside High School
1201 SE 43rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32641

Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT

• 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
• 9:15 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. Rotating Group Breakouts (40 minutes each)
• 11:45 – 12:00 p.m. “Returning from Prison” Presentation
• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch

Press: Please RSVP to Amy Alexander at amy.alexander@usdoj.gov if you plan to attend.

The BLAST Program offers students an opportunity to meet representatives of the criminal justice community and ask them questions, share their perceptions of law enforcement, and interact with law enforcement officers in a familiar setting.  Law enforcement officers also provide students with their perspective on responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the importance of remaining calm and following the officers’ directions in these situations.

The schedule will include the following discussion sessions, during which students will have a chance to participate in role play with law enforcement officers.  (Students with media permissions will be identified.)

• Criminal Justice Overview: Students will learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing.
  This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.

•  Domestic Violence: Students will participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance.  Discussion includes the challenges officers face, rights of witnesses and suspects, and benefits of providing information to law enforcement.  This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.

•  Traffic Stop Simulation: Participants and officers alternate playing the roles of civilians and officers in a traffic stop.  Discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop.  This session is open to the media, and videography and photography is permitted.

•  Use of Force: Facilitators and students will discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation.  This session is closed to the media.  Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.

Participating agencies include:

• United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida
• Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
• Gainesville Police Department
• Eastside High School
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
• Florida Highway Patrol
• FAMU Police Department

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.