Kids and Kops program a chance for youth to learn about police

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 4, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge Police Services Const. Nick Cousineau and Const. Tyler Boras help children in try out a bomb suit as part of the Kids and Kops program Wednesday at the LPS range in the river valley.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Big Brothers and Big Sisters has partnered up once again with the Lethbridge Police Service to bring back their annual Kids and Kops program this week.

Kids and Kops activities include demonstrations by K9, the Tactical Team, Explosive Disposal Unit, Ident, the Traffic Response Unit and additional community outings and activities.

“We have intentional relationships with the police officers that come to our camp and it’s usually typically four days a week where kids experience what police officers do during the day,” said Sara Roncin, teen mentoring caseworker at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

She said the children get a lot of information throughout the week but they also have fun.

“We played hide and go seek tag this morning,” said participant Mackinley Shaw on Wednesday.

Roncin said they also had the opportunity to play laser tag on Tuesday.

The program is offered to children waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister.

“The children that are here today are part of, or have been part of our programs, whether it be traditional like the community-based program or our in-school mentoring program,” said Roncin.

She said they try to make sure no child is left out from the opportunity to learn about policing and therefore most children only take part of it once.

“What I find beneficial is that police officers that come to our camp are not dressed in uniform – just showing that these normal people doing a job and this is what the job entails,” said Roncin.

She said it is important to showcase this because sometimes people get a little bit intimidated with somebody in uniform.

“It’s just personalizing the experience when they come to it without uniforms, and a lot of the police officers that come here are student resource officers in the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division and the Lethbridge School Division, so these kids are going to see these police officers throughout the next year,” said Roncin.

Lethbridge Police Services acting Sgt. Donald Realini said they have been partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters for over ten years to offer the Kids and Kops program.

“We were unfortunately not able to run it during COVID, but as restrictions eased we were able to run the program,” said Realini.

He said during the program they give the children a little view of what it’s like in the police service and some of the things they do.

“Traditionally it’s a really good experience and everyone comes away tired, lots of fun, new friendships are made and so it’s really good experience for the kids, for us and also for the presenters and community partners that we visit and that support us,” said Realini.

On Wednesday the children had the opportunity to see demonstrations from the explosive disposal unit and were able to try on a bomb suit.

“We also talk to the kids about that although you see your typical police officer in uniform, there’s many people both in uniform and out of uniform, both sworn and non-sworn members that work as a team and help protect the public,” said Realini.

He said they showcase the importance of teamwork, how they never do anything alone and they are always prepared for multiple case scenarios.

“The kids have lots of questions about our tools and equipment, and so we try to explain to the youth that like a carpenter or tradesperson need lots of tools for their jobs, unfortunately we don’t know what tools we’re going to need, so we have to bring all our tools with us when we go to calls for service and I wish they were lighter,” said Realini.

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