Officers Learn Sign Language To Improve Emergency Response

Police in Danville are learning and implementing a few basic signs in American Sign Language for use in emergency situations.

A sergeant with the department says the training is being done largely because the Kentucky School for the Deaf is in town. He says officers plan to use the limited signals in all active shooter trainings, no matter the location, so that it becomes second nature in case of a real situation.

Among the signs being taught are "follow," ”stop," ”where" and "stay."

Stu Harper, a guidance counselor at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, says the ability of officers to communicate with students will help make things safer should an emergency occur.