On Thursday, March 25, 2021 a Booth Hill School student was met by a Trumbull Police officer to communicate and learn about the police, become informed of reasons why officers visit schools, and also to explain various other services the police provide to the community, however, this was no ordinary interaction.
Booth Hill School elementary student, Teesa Arden, met with Officer Derek Laaser, who is also fluent in sign language, where they shared a very special connection with each other and communicated via sign.
The teachers told Teesa that they had a surprise for her, so they brought into the school’s hallway where Officer Laaser was awaiting her arrival. Teesa then met with Officer Laaser who began communicating with her via sign. They began to interact and communicate with each other in their own special way creating a bond and showing Tessa that there are many police officers who can communicate with others in various ways, and proving this with Officer Laaser whom she can more easily communicate with.
Booth Hill Elementary School teachers arranged for this special meet and greet as a great way to let Teesa know how police officers are in the schools and the community to help people. They went over important information and he let her know that if she ever needed help that there are police officers who are able to communicate with her. They also talked about how to get help from other people who do not know sign language.
Sign language is only one of the many areas in which the Trumbull Police Department is growing, and becoming more diverse to better represent and serve its community.