NYPD officials are instructing officers to be more polite and courteous through a new program aimed at improving the department?s interactions with residents.

The initiative is an effort to combat complaints of police using rude gestures and profanity.

Officials say complaint reports of police discourtesy are up 47 percent in Brooklyn and the rest of the city. Complaints of officers using racial, ethnic and other slurs are up 84 percent.

One change being implemented involves having actors role play with officers to prepare for incidents that may occur on the street. Cops are also being instructed to say hello politely and introduce themselves while patrolling the streets to improve relations with residents.