Placerville Police Give Girl Scouts Behind-the-Scenes Look at Law Enforcement
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Girl Scout Troop 866 recently traded badges and uniforms for a behind-the-scenes look at local law enforcement during a visit to the Placerville Police Department.
The scouts toured the police facility and took part in a hands-on fingerprinting activity, giving them an opportunity to learn how a technique commonly associated with criminal investigations is used in modern law enforcement.
The visit was part of the department’s continuing effort to build relationships with young people and strengthen connections between police officers and the community they serve.
“We love connecting with our community’s youth and sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how we work to keep our community safe,” the Placerville Police Department said in a public statement.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For the scouts, the visit offered more than a tour. The fingerprinting activity provided a practical introduction to one of the investigative tools used by law enforcement.
Fingerprinting remains an established component of police services. The Placerville Police Department also provides Live Scan digital fingerprinting and fingerprint-card services to members of the public by appointment.
The department’s Support Services Division lists Live Scan fingerprinting among the services it provides to the Placerville community, alongside records, dispatch, property and evidence services and volunteer programs.
Building Trust With Local Youth
The Troop 866 visit also reflects the department’s emphasis on community-oriented policing.
Placerville police say officers are encouraged to become familiar with residents, listen to community concerns and involve residents in problem-solving efforts. The department describes that approach as a partnership between law enforcement and the community to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Placerville.
That philosophy extends beyond responding to calls for service. The department says it maintains active relationships with community organizations and participates in a variety of local programs and outreach activities.
Placerville Police Chief Dan Maciel similarly describes effective policing as being built on “trust, communication, and partnership,” while emphasizing cooperation among police, residents, businesses, schools and community organizations.
A Positive Introduction to Police Work
The department said Troop 866 members brought curiosity and enthusiasm to the visit, thanking the scouts for their “excellent questions” and “fantastic visit.”
For young people growing up in Placerville and throughout El Dorado County, experiences like these can provide a more personal understanding of the people and responsibilities behind the police badge.
The Placerville Police Department is headquartered at 730 Main St. and serves the city’s residents through patrol, investigations, dispatch, records, community services and other public-safety functions. The department currently lists 20 sworn officers and 11 professional staff members.
For Troop 866, the lesson was simple but memorable: Sometimes learning about public safety starts with stepping inside the station, asking questions — and leaving a few fingerprints behind.
Sources: City of Placerville Police Department · Placerville Police Department — Live Scan Fingerprints
