WATERBORO — What are the perceptions of young people toward law enforcement in 2019? Could a glimpse at how officers handle situations from start to finish — rather than a snippet on social media that might not show the entire picture — help students better understand why an officer approached a situation in a particular way?

Massabesic High School students on Wednesday put themselves in the officers place, acting out how they deal with everything from a traffic ticket to a domestic violence situation to breaking up an argument involving a dozen people over which band was best — the Beatles or Led Zepplin.

The program is called TRUST, which stands for “teach mutual respect and understanding through simulation,” and was hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, the York County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the York County District Attorney’s Office. In all, more than 50 students took part. Massabesic High School Principal Jim Hand said the school began working with School Resource Officer Jason Solomon in January to bring the TRUST program to the district — it had previously been offered in Brewer and Lewiston. Maine State Police also participated in the event.

U.S. Attorney for Maine Halsey Frank said law enforcement has gotten a “bad rap” lately.

“I observed this program in other areas and thought it was a good one,” he said.

“The goal is to try to understand the duties of law enforcement,” said York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery.

York County Sheriff William L. King Jr. said the initiative should also be called the “care” program,

“We’re all here because we care about you,” he said. “We’re going to let you see what law enforcement officers see.”

In one scenario, Emily Stinson played a woman holed up in the bathroom of her home with her daughter in her arms while her former “husband,” played by Gabe Moody, stood outside yelling at her to let him in. The man, who was the subject of a protection from abuse order after a prior assault on his former wife, had kicked in the door of the home and was making threats in the make-believe scenario. Students David Smith and Jordan Baillargeon played police officers, trying to diffuse the situation.

In that particular case, the situation was resolved rather quickly. Lewiston Police Officer Tyler Michaud said that isn’t always the case.

In some domestic violence situations, the victim may remain silent or insist there is no problem, because the perpetrator may be the person who controls the vehicle, the finances and more, York County Chief Deputy Thomas Baran explained.

In another role play, student Grace Tutt was among the dozen people involved in the band argument. She sneaked away when law enforcement showed up, because in the scenario, there was a warrant out for her arrest.

“When you’re not interacting, seeing police can be a scary thing,” said Tutt. “It’s nice to see that they’re not there to harm us, but to help us.”

Stinson agreed.

“Seeing (the officers) outside their everyday job helps,” Stinson said. “It builds a connection in the community.”

In another scenario, students were issued a mock firearm and responded to actions playing out on a screen — getting a glimpse of the decision-making law enforcement officers go through when deciding whether to draw and fire their weapon.

As the role-playing wound down, some students talked about their reactions to the program.

“It’s giving kids the opportunity to see what it’s like,” James Huff said. “There’s a lot of things I didn’t know.”

“It’s a new learning experience,” said Alexis Nelson. “I don’t spend much time with cops. It’s good to learn what they do and different perspectives.”

Devin Renaud said he learned a lot.

“I had a not-so-good encounter with police officers in middle and high school,” said Renaud, adding he’d been a troublemaker. “This gives me an understanding of what they do.”

Later, the students heard from a man who says law enforcement saved his life when he was arrested following a 2012 robbery while in the throes of opiate addiction. Travis Leeman, now 37, spent seven years in federal prison for his crime, and was released in February. These days, while holding down a job, he spends some of his time speaking to young people about his life.

He said he wanted to be game warden after college but was “smoking dope” and felt he shouldn’t apply so he started working on cell towers. Leeman, who made headlines when he robbed a credit union in  Arundel, had a good job in the cell tower industry paying $80,000 a year and another $40,000 or more working in the tree business on the side. Then, one day, he fell 42 feet from a cell tower and injured his back.

The injury led to painkillers — opiate painkillers — and lots of them. His love affair with the painkillers led to a $1,000 a day habit and more. Leeman said he was in debt, items like a boat he’d worked for was gone, phones were shut off for non-payment and he was behind in rent. Eventually, his wife left him, he told the students.

So he decided to rob a bank.

“I went in with an unloaded gun thinking ‘I’m not going to hurt anyone,’” he said. “I didn’t think of the emotional damage to the tellers, their families, my family.”

He said many tried to help him when he was n the throes of addiction.

He urged students who were in trouble or having problems to talk to their school resource officers.

“It’s never too late to turn around and make better (choices),” he said.

For his own part, Leeman said it’s nice to be put of prison, and to get a second chance. His short-term goal is to speak to students.

“I can’t change what I did, but I can reach out to youth,” he said.

A long-term goal is to have his own home, marry and have children “and stay sober for the rest of my life.”

He turned toward Sgt. Michael Hayes, who had handled the robbery case.

“You saved my life,” said Leeman.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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