In a bid to build positive relationships between young people and law enforcement officers, the Apex Police Department in North Carolina has introduced a children’s book titled Who’s Behind the Badge.

Chief Jason Armstrong believes that this innovative idea will help young people feel more at ease when engaging and conversing with officers in their communities.

“I thought it would be a great tool that we could use in helping young people feel a little bit more comfortable with interacting and talking with our officers in their communities,” Chief Jason Armstrong told CBS17 News.

In a Facebook post released by the department, Armstrong expressed the importance of enhancing communication and creating connections with community members, particularly young individuals — an aspect that law enforcement often struggles with. The book aims to address this issue by providing an insider’s perspective on the lives of the department’s officers, including Armstrong, and humanizing them.

Who’s Behind the Badge goes beyond the superficial representation of a badge and delves into the personal lives of officers. It showcases their hobbies, interests and motivations for pursuing a career in law enforcement, and even offers an autograph section at the back to encourage children to reach out to local officers.

Armstrong shared that his personal focus lies in being a supportive partner within the community and a valuable resource for its members. This children’s book ultimately represents yet another step toward fulfilling this vision.

“A big focus of ours and always a big focus for me is how can we take ideas and bring them to life that are going to bring people together,” Armstrong said.

The Apex Police Department collaborated with a local company to make this initiative a reality. Armstrong encouraged anyone interested in obtaining a copy of the book to simply approach one of the officers, who will be happy to provide them with a copy.