Ala. program seeks to teach teens to navigate police stops

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Federal prosecutors are working with the FBI and police in Mobile on a program meant to teach teens how to navigate encounters with police.

The program, titled Successful Tips for Youth on Law Enforcement Encounters is expected to begin Thursday with a group of students from Blount High School, AL.com reported (https://bit.ly/1AAOzyV ).

The program is meant to develop respect between young people and police after several high profile fatal shootings involving unarmed black men, U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown said.

High school students are the program’s target audience and Brown said he hopes it helps teens become comfortable developing relationships with law enforcement.

“That is who most often have often have negative interactions with police,” Brown said. “The idea is prevent, hopefully, something that will result in negative consequences.”

The program will feature students participating in mock police encounters and getting feedback on what they should do in certain situations. Part of the program will also teach students how to property file complaints if they think an officer has acted inappropriately, Brown said.

Organizers have said they’re hoping to continue the program next fall with students throughout more than a dozen counties that compose the Southern District of Alabama.