Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 404 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: JANUARY 2017 by Tom Wetzel C ops and kids have always had a spe- cial relationship. The 1958 Nor- man Rockwell portrait, “The Runaway,” which shows a trooper and a small child intent on running away both seated on coun- ter stools at a restaurant, artfully depicts the simple trust a young child can have with an officer. That critical trust is need- ed more today than ever. One innovative way to do that is through a formal departmental youth men- toring program established in a partnership with the community – a collabora- tive effort with the police department and its union or association. We should also include both public and private schools, community ser- vices such as recreation, public health, and human services departments as well as the business com- munity. The local Chamber of Commerce or similar organization could provide administrative and organi- zational support. The goal is to provide an enriching and educational experience for young peo- ple who will benefit from having a positive relation- ship with law enforcement officers. The ideal situation is to have officers partici- pate in the program while on duty and when staffing can support their atten- dance. A written policy would be required to establish guide- lines, control of the pro- gram, and measures to track success. Parents would have to approve all activities in- volving their child and sign waiver liability forms. Candidate pairing 1.Officers and deputies have numerous interactions with young people, both positive (school or safety program instruction) and negative (following an arrest or involvement with a disturbance). During these encounters, officers may recognize a young person he or she feels would benefit from a mentoring program and forward that information to the program coordinators. 2. A parent may request that their child be part of the program. 3. Personnel from a public or private school may recognize a student who could benefit from the program and make a recommendation to the department. School resource officers are also an excellent way to get referrals for this type of program. 4. A rabbi from a local temple or a priest or pastor at a church could make a recommendation with the approval of a parent. 5. Employees of other city agencies may be aware of children who would benefit from this program and make recommendations. 6. Local hospitals may also be aware of children with serious health problems who could benefit from some mentoring from a law enforcement officer. 7. Employees of businesses may have children who could benefit from a youth mentoring program and would be encouraged to participate. Program activities To keep a child’s interest, a mentoring program needs fun stuff to do while still providing an opportunity for the officer and child to talk and laugh. Depending on a child’s circumstances, the officer may have to pick up the child in a cruiser and then bring him home after an activity. This will factor into time involved and department scheduling al- locations. The following list provides some direction on possible activities and time involved. The officer can start by giving a tour of the police department. This provides the child a chance to see the work- ing environment of a law enforcement officer and ask questions about police work. The youngster could get a police shirt or cup as a memento. Lunch with the officer and the young person would take place at an eating es- tablishment within the city. This experience is relaxing and non-threatening and allows for conversation and quality interaction. Gener- ally it would only involve the officer and participant but if there is a strong in- terest in the program and sustainable staffing, two of- ficers and two participants could go as a group. How about a two-hour ride along with the officer? This allows an opportu- nity for more conversation and quality interaction but also provides an exciting, educational experience for the youngster who gets to ride in a police car with his or her mentor. Officers participating in the program will complete short forms for any interac- tion with the child. These forms help provide account- ability for the program and provide a tool for measur- ing its success. Length of participation in the program will be depen- dent upon officer/partici- pant/parent interest. Upon completion in the program, a request will be made for the participant and the parents to complete a feedback form which also helps measure the success and overall value of the pro- gram. Officers who were the mentors will also complete a feedback form. Program costs Costs for the program would be generally limited to wages and activity expen- ditures. These costs would be shared through city fund- ing, police association contributions and outside support from the business community and charitable organizations. The local Chamber of Commerce could assist with obtaining donations. Tom Wetzel is a lieutenant in an Ohio Police Department. Cops, kids & fun Great ideas to gain youngsters’ trust