Education Programs

The Gallatin Police Department has a representative who serves as this Department's Board Member on the Teen Court of Sumner County's Board of Directors. The Teen Court concept allows children, who admit responsibility for their delinquent actions, to be referred to the Teen Court for appropriate sanctioning. Sanctions include requiring the responsible teen to serve community service hours in town, as well as to attend counseling sessions and educational classes, and to write letters of apology to the teen's victims.

 

The Gallatin Police Department understands that one way to reduce crime is to work with our children. When children see police officers up close and in a non-confrontational setting, they can understand the job of a police officer, as well as learn important life lessons. As a result, the Gallatin Police Department currently has a police officer assigned to every elementary and middle school in Gallatin. On a daily basis, these officers "check in" at their schools: talking with teachers and principals, making presentations in classrooms, and even eating lunch with the children in the cafeteria. Together, police officers are constantly working to keep our schools safe.

 

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.

Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries.

Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. (The program took off quickly: in just ten years, NSA data showed that 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch.) Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.

Taser the Safety Cat makes her home at the Gallatin Police Department however she travels throughout the City and County, helping Officer Alan Jones teach children about safety.

Taser the Cat’s life-size namesake comes from the department’s real cat, Taser, who was adopted by the department as a stray, several years ago. Now that the real Taser Cat is gone, Taser the Safety Cat lives on promoting safety to children and teens during special events held by the department and at events where she is invited.

The main focus of the mascot is to help the Gallatin Police Department reduce childhood apprehension of law enforcement officials and to promote safety tips across the City. However, Taser has been spotted at several charity events that the Gallatin Police Department participates in such as “Shop With a Cop/Fire Fighter”, Santa Classic, and Square Fest.