Officers from the Gornal and Sedgley neighbourhood policing team have a better understanding of visual impairment after receiving special training from Beacon Centre for the Blind.
The charity arranged a day of workshops and talks, to enable the officers to learn how it feels to be out and about in the community with limited or no sight.
Jenni Fryer, fundraising manager for Beacon, said: “We have a very good relationship with our local policing team, and when they told us they wanted to increase their knowledge and understanding of the issued faced by people with sight loss, we were happy to help.
“As well as arranging for the officers chance to meet people who use the centre’s services, we also gave them the opportunity to try out our special goggles, which simulate a range of eye health symptoms or complete blindness.
“Being guided around wearing these goggles gave the officers a real insight into the obstacles faced by people with sight loss.”
Any organisation or business interested in sight awareness training can find out more by contacting Beacon on 01902 880111.
PCSO Michaella Evans said: “We are always looking at ways to improve our service and knowledge of different community groups across the neighbourhood.
“Taking part in the training session was really beneficial and it’s given us more ideas on how we can interact with this community group.”
The team will be hosting a police surgery at the Beacon Centre on Friday 18 July at 2pm.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated outreach workers and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
Money raised from the charity’s shops – in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen and the centre in Sedgley – supports a range of services for people of all ages living with a visual impairment.
To find out more about the charity visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk