Benefits
Police at Play will offer elementary children a safe, non-confrontational space to interact with law enforcement officials through unstructured play and age-appropriate programs. Unstructured play is the key to social and emotional development at an early age, and by creating positive interactions with community officers in a controlled space, we are giving children a chance to see the officers at play, and personally interact with them. They can then be seen not just as larger-than-life police officers, but as what they truly are: fathers, brothers, and friends.
The benefits of the program will extend to the officers as well. They will be able to interact with these children in a safe space, where the children feel comfortable and unthreatened. These officers will get a first-hand look at how they are perceived in these young age groups, and can personally let the children know they are focused on helping them and creating a safe community for them to enjoy as they grow. They can get a sense of the children’s fears, concerns, and make them feel that their voices are heard, even at their young age. Police can, in turn, use this valuable information to incorporate into community programs that are aimed at developing young minds, and creating a broader sense of community education and involvement targeted to young children.
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Parents of these children have also likely faced a lifetime of negative views of law enforcement officials. They may want to stop the cycle, but simply don’t know where to start, or don’t have the means available to them. When their children participate in our program in a safe space during school, they are getting a front-row seat to interact with law enforcement, and in turn, the children can share what they’ve learned with their parents.
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We are also hopeful that through the implementation of our programs in elementary schools, we are setting the stage for fewer instances of bullying and aggressive behavior. Children will be able to talk with officers about the consequences of bad choices and bad behavior in an age-appropriate way, and will ideally incorporate this positive education into their daily actions. When children understand that law enforcement officers are there to help, they are more likely to recognize and report bullying or aggressive behavior seen in school, creating a safer space and a safer community for all.
When all of these groups come together to form a cohesive partnership, the change will happen. The long-term vision for the program includes a future in which youth violence and criminal activity are reduced, and children are given the tools to focus on both academic success and positive community involvement.