COPPERAS COVE, TX — Participants in the Copperas Cove Citizens Police Academy experienced the realities of impaired driving through a hands-on simulation.
Students wore goggles that mimic the effects of drunk or drugged driving while pedaling through a course of cones. The course is more difficult than you might think.
"I found that the goggles, I didn’t think they would effect me at all. I thought I’d be OK. But the second you start turning your head, you start fooling your brain, and I actually got vertigo for a little bit and it was disorienting,” said Fred Chavez, a participant.
The primary focus of the academy is to build bridges between civilians and those on the police force.
"The beautiful thing about it is to just build relationships, and bonding with citizens, and it puts us all on the same page,” said Sgt. Kevin Miller, with Copperas Cove police.
It is a 12-week program. More than two dozen people are registered for the course.
