Fostering trust and building long-term relationships between Wichita Police Officers and area youth is the focus of the Bridge Program, a joint effort between the Wichita Police Department and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wichita.
Youngsters age 12 through 17 will be selected by Big Brothers Big Sisters and Wichita Police Department School Resource Officers to participate in the program slated for June 2 at the Wichita Police Academy. The Bridge Program has three primary objectives: education, awareness and prevention.
During the day-long program participants will learn what it takes to become a police officer, run the agility course, have a cookout with officers, and see a demonstration of the specialty units of the Wichita Police Department. Later in the month each youth will have the opportunity to ride along with an officer from their neighborhood.
“The program focuses on educating young people about law enforcement while building or bridging a positive relationship between youth and police officers,” said Lt. Hassan Ramzah, WPD Community Affairs.
It is the intent of the Bridge Program to educate young individuals from the community about the selection process, hiring, training and duties of a Wichita Police Officer; increase community awareness of officers as good role models; and aid in the prevention of juvenile crime.