‘Behind the Badge’ gives Savannah residents a closer look at police policy

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah leaders are rolling out a new community education series aimed at building trust between police and the public.

Titled “Behind the Badge,” the first session focuses on use of force.

Mayor Van Johnson and Police Chief Lenny Gunther said the interactive sessions will give residents a closer look at how policing policies and procedures work and why.

Organizers said the goal is to explain the laws and standards behind police decisions, clear up common myths and walk through how incidents are reviewed and investigated, followed by a question-and-answer session.

“As a former law enforcement officer, I can tell you there’s a lot of things that the general public just does not understand about police work,” Johnson said. “So my goal is to lift that veil. To really invite the public to understand things about the police department. We have a citizen’s academy that just kind of goes over the surface, but I really want to do deeper dives into specific parts of the police experience.”

Two sessions are currently scheduled. The first runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 26 at the Savannah Police Department Training Center on Edwin Street. A second session is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on June 27 at the same location.

Those interested in attending can register via the form here.