The Selma Police Department (SPD) hosted a Bridging the Gap program at its training headquarters on Friday.

Bridging the Gap is a program sponsored by the partnership of the Mobile Police Department (MPD), the Mobile Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

The program was developed to bridge the gap between the youth and law enforcement community in the District to foster positive relationships in our community. teach our youth how to have a positive encounter with law enforcement, if ever faced with such a situation.

Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier and several SPD officers participated in the daylong drills with Selma High School students. The students went through simulated situations like getting pulled over for speeding.

FBI Chief Division Douglas Astralaga discussed reducing the intensity of reducing a potentially violent situation called de-escalation with the students.

“A police officer is supposed to be able to react in certain situations,” Astralaga said. “Make sure the officer can evaluate the situation the best he can. Don’t fight the police because they will win every time. It’s the FBI’s job to make sure a police officer does the right thing.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher H. Baugh said the program is also designed to help students decide about their future.

“One of my main concerns is giving them tools for the future, the kids are at that age where they should be considering a career,” Baugh said.

Collier said the program gave the Selma High students a chance to learn about law enforcement.

“It’s a great opportunity for the students to see the SPD in a non-adversarial role,” Collier said. “We’re teaching them what to expect in a contact situation