PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — To become a Providence police officer, you have to attend the academy, which includes cultural competency training classes. But some officers are taking that training to the next level. Alex Diaz joined the Providence Police Department in 2017. Within the next year, the founder of Lights and Sirens International approached him with the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic as part of a humanitarian basketball tournament for law enforcement. Diaz jumped at the opportunity, as it would allow him to give back to his family's hometown of Moca for the first time. They gave away equipment and supplies, as well as books and toys to kids. "I was like, 'Oh my God! This is a blessing,'" Diaz recalled. Leer en español: Oficiales de policía aprenden sobre cultura hispana en viajes humanitarios a la República Dominicana He now makes it a point to visit every year, taking a new Providence police officer with him each time. "For them to experience that ... it's a touching moment," Diaz added. It's also a learning moment, giving officers a new perspective on the community they serve. "They can maybe have a better understanding or maybe some of the challenges that they faced in that country. Maybe the reactions or the interaction could go a lot more positive, because now you have an understanding with who you're dealing," Col. Oscar Perez explained. The founder of Lights and Sirens said that's what his mission is all about. "There are some bad actors in law enforcement. There are some bad actors that are civilians, but that doesn't mean it's the totality of everybody," Ibrahim Bukhari said. "We need to try to correct the wrongs from the past by starting to work with those that are here." RELATED: Providence recruiting for 73rd police training academy Hundreds of other officers from across the country are expected to go to the Dominican Republic next February. Diaz said he has a group of about nine Providence police officers going. These officers are using their own time and money to make the trip, which truly shows their heart of service. Lights and Sirens International will be hosting several toy drives in November and December for their annual Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program in Rhode Island and the humanitarian trip in the Dominican Republic. Toys can be dropped off at the following URI Men's Basketball games: Wednesday, Nov. 20 vs. Lafayette Sunday, Nov. 24 vs. College of Charleston Monday, Dec. 2 vs. Yale Saturday, Dec. 7 vs. Providence College Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW