Learning Respect

Video on how to talk with police now a requirement for graduation in Texas

Texas high school students have a new requirement for graduation: Learning how to talk with police officers.

Under the Community Safety Education Act passed last year, every Texas high-schooler must watch a 16-minute video showing two teenage girls in a vehicle after being pulled over for speeding. The video goes on to show a variety of scenarios explaining how a traffic stop works and what could happen.

The video ends with a question-and-answer session between students and officers.

Dallas state Sen. Royce West authored the bill in the wake of widely reported altercations—sometimes fatal—between officers and citizens.

“We did not feel that we could stand idly by as these tragic incidents that erode public confidence and create distrust for law enforcement continue to occur without making an effort that could ultimately help save lives,” West said in a press release.

“This content is designed specifically to make certain that the trust factor between law enforcement and citizens is stronger than ever,” he added.

Students must view the video as a part of a class discussing what they’ve seen between grades nine and 12.

We think it’s a good idea, though we can remember a time when such training would have been unnecessary. Back in the day, parents routinely told their children to behave respectfully and cooperate when stopped by the police. We would hope that’s still true, but apparently not everyone gets the message.

From now on Texas high school students will get the word. Let’s hope they take it to heart.