When Officer James Ward asked questions, hands shot up around the room as eager 4-year-olds explained their ideas of what police officers do.

Ward, from the Greensboro Police Department, was one of six officers who are also parents of children who spoke to classes Wednesday morning at The Learning Center, Harvest Baptist Church’s preschool program.

Several other officers not affiliated with the children also came to the preschool’s law enforcement day event, where 2- through 5-year-olds got to see a variety of law enforcement vehicles and ask questions of officers from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, State Highway Patrol and Burlington, Gibsonville and Greensboro Police Departments.

When Ward, whose child was in the class, asked the kids what they thought law enforcement officers did, their answers varied.

There was the typical “get the bad guys” and “put people in jail” answers, as well as ideas that after arrestees are taken to jail, “you shoot them,” among other questionable suggestions.

Walter Webster, the director, and other teachers discussing the kids’ comments, though humorous, said misconceptions were the reason the preschool program had held such an event for the last 10 years.

“We want to begin to shape their views of what police officers are really for,” Webster said. “We don’t want them to be afraid of a uniform .”

Ward turned on his radio and explained the role of the dispatcher talking and how the children would interact one if they called 911.

He showed them his ballistic vest, pepper spray, Taser, baton, handcuffs and extra magazine.

“Why do you need a magazine?” asked one confused child, before learning it was used in his weapon.

The children received a visit from Greensboro’s McGruff the Crime Dog mascot, as well as saw a jail transport van from the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, in addition to patrol vehicles.

Webster said the preschool holds a law enforcement day each year in the spring, as well as a fire department day in the fall.

The preschool sent home each officer with a large basket of snacks to take back to their respective headquarters.