About two dozen residents, police and city and school officials from Farrell, Sharon and Hermitage spent the last two days learning about the law.

Members of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association held a seminar called Achieving Excellence in Community Oriented Policing. The seminar was sponsored by the Hope IV grant and the Minority Health Advocacy Committee.

Joann Newell, community support service coordinator for Steel City Terrace, said the goal of the seminar is to bridge the gap between residents and the police. She said she wants people to make a connection with the police and for both sides to have an understanding of where the other is coming from.

"All we want is peace," Mrs. Newell said. She said she wants residents not to feel afraid to report a crime and to know how to approach the police.

Gary Mayers of the state police chiefs association, explained the need for trust between residents and police, though things don't always go smoothly. He acknowledged that sometimes there are problems with police, and beat cops should learn character from their bosses.

"We're all human. We all have our bad days," Mayers said. He added that their ultimate goal, like that of the community, is to have peaceful neighborhoods.

Sharon patrolman Bill Gregg said he thinks it was a good idea to have the seminar. Gregg, who works with the COPS program locally, said everyone has the same goal of solving problems and the police are out there for the community. "At the same time it gives us, the police, feedback of what we're doing right or wrong," he said.

"We really want to reach the police," Mrs. Newell said. She added that the four local policemen in attendance weren't required to be there.

Richard R. Rubano Jr., superintendent of the Farrell Area School District, said he attended because the school system is an integral part of the community.

"Our idea of the police and children establishing mutual trust at the early stages of their childhood will benefit everyone in the future," Rubano said.

Throughout the seminar the group discussed issues like how to build trust, the purpose of police and the role of the community, problem solving, tension reduction and understanding the roles of police and citizens in community health.

The seminar was held in the Radisson Hotel of Sharon in Shenango Township.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com