Cops and Kids

in Featured by sbcops — December 13, 2011 at 3:04 pm | 1 comment

The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD) recently hosted the “Cops and Kids” event with the students at Coconut Palm K-8 Academy. The event had many activities combined into one. There is a Career Day with Q/A; a “Brain Bowl dubbed Are You Smarter Than a Police Officer,” where students take on officers in a Jeopardy type game; sports e.g., basketball, football, etc., promoting physical fitness; reading sit downs promoting the importance of academics; dancing, ice cream and a grand finale of a tug-of-war between cops and kids!

While the students won in just about every category, the real winners are everyone. All too often, police encounters with youth are under less than favorable terms.

The Cops and Kids program seeks to shore-up police/youth relations, and leaves a lasting impression on both parties. Over the past three years, M-DSPD has been able to re-calibrate its officers, making their focus more child centered, and allowing for improved school community relations and support. This has led to successes in a number of areas, including reducing incidents and arrests, and supporting academics and graduation rates.

Our role in the schools is very well defined…we do everything possible to promote the safety, well being and success of our students…it’s that simple!

This event is one of many initiatives by the Office of the Chief of Police.

See article in the Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/18/2508771/cops-and-kids-bond-over-sports.html?story_link=email_msg