The Curtain Drops on Improv Theater for the New York Police

Jillian Snider, a former officer who lectures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said the program had been introduced at “a chaotic moment” when building trust was paramount. “The community was absolutely disgusted with law enforcement,” she said.

But for at least the past two years, the staffing shortage has forced detectives to don uniforms and patrol the streets during the summer, Ms. Snider said. “Any available personnel that can be deployed in an enforcement capacity, they’re going to have to use,” she said.

“Do I think it’s the best use of limited resources and city government dollars to be paying officers to be doing improv and miming?” Ms. Snider said. “Not necessarily.”