In St. Petersburg, a novel interaction between police officers and preschoolers has carved a place within community engagement initiatives. Dubbed “Positive Beginnings with POPS,” the Police At Preschools program was spotlighted earlier this week at a city council meeting, as confirmed by a post from the St. Petersburg Police Department’s social media account. The aim of the initiative is transparent: to foster early positive exchanges between the city’s youngsters and law enforcement.
Championed by Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who was recognized for efforts, the POPS program seeks to lay the groundwork for trust and understanding between communities and the police force. Having officers integrated into the preschool environment, the program proposes that these formative years are critical in shaping perceptions and relations with the police…