Wellington to Host Connecting Cops and Kids Training Program
Wellington is the first city in Florida selected to host the Connecting Cops and Kids Training program. Developed by the Fred Rogers Company and provided by a grant through the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, the program is a no-cost training designed to enhance community policing services and public safety by improving law enforcement interactions with children and teens.
On Thursday, February 9, 2012, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County School Resource Officers, Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Office and local non-profits will participate in the Connecting Cops and Kids training from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Wellington’s City Hall located at 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard.
“We are very excited to be among the 20 municipalities nationwide and the only city in Florida selected to host this no-cost training,” said Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen.
The Fred Rogers Company, well known for producing Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, has produced Connecting Cops and Kids, a video-based professional training program for law enforcement officers and community support agencies. Its goal is to help officers increase their effectiveness when interacting with children.
This training is designed to raise officers’ awareness of the tremendous impact their presence has on children and to demonstrate how basic knowledge of childhood development can enhance an officer’s influence and ability to achieve law enforcement goals. The training includes an in-depth look at how children see police, weighing options during encounters with at-risk youth, partners in crisis, children and trauma.
For more information about this training, contact Meridith Tuckwood, Neighborhood Advocate, at (561) 753-2476. For additional details about Connecting Cops and Kids, visit http://www.fci.org/cops/index.html.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.