The Chicago police academy has found an interesting way to incorporate the appreciation of fine art into a comprehensive training program for Chicago’s finest.
“We’ve got a domestic situation!” exclaimed Phil Strazzante, a Chicago police recruit, as he quickly sized up the scene — a man struggling with a naked woman just inches away from a knife lying on the floor.
But this was no crime scene. Strazzante and 15 other recruits were checking out “Tarquin and Lucretia,” a painting by 16th century Italian artist Tintoretto, as part of an unusual exercise Thursday at the Art Institute of Chicago. The aim was to teach soon-to-be patrol officers to sharpen their observational skills when they respond to shootings, robberies or traffic crashes…
Sgt. Diane Shaw, who works with the recruits at the Chicago police academy, said the exercise helps officers try to see all aspects of a potentially dangerous situation instead of relying on their tunnel vision — limiting their focus to just what’s in front of them. It also teaches officers to think creatively and establish trust with their partner, she said.
[ Chicago Tribune ]
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