NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — It’s David Salisbury’s job to bridge the gap between the police and the community as a Community Resource Officer with the Norfolk Police Department.

10 On Your Side got a chance to see that in action when he was teaching criminal justice at the Norfolk Technical Center.

“Listen up, he has a lot of stuff to add. He’s a really, really good detective. He taught me a lot of cool stuff,” said Salisbury.

The class gives juniors and seniors a chance get a taste of the criminal justice program. Students who joins this program have an idea of what they want to be when they graduate.

“It was between a forensic scientist and then transferring over to dealing with homicides,” said Morgan Stewart, a junior at the center.

Darion Clark, who is also a junior, said, “My brother was in the military and my dad worked in law enforcement and so did my uncle. So I wanted to keep the tradition going.”

Salisbury said they do a lot of hands-on teaching. “A lot of the kids would like to go in the military or would like to go be a lawyer. So it gives them a taste of both sides of the law,” he said.

Jermaine Jackson, an instructor at Norfolk Technical Center, said he gets to see the important interaction the students have with Salisbury.

“He answers a thousand questions a day. The kids need to know what it is they’re getting themselves into and he is the first hand-look for them.” 

It’s that interaction also builds a relationship.

Salisbury said, “It is a rewarding thing cause you’re out in town and they’re working their jobs as high school kids and they call your name out and you’re like ‘hey!'” 

Stewart said, “No one really got to interact with real cops on the street and in the classroom. We became a big family.”

Salisbury said it’s a rewarding experience because throughout the class they not only end up asking questions about policing, but questions about life as well.