It began with a police officer and a room full of kids. The Yazoo City Police Academy celebrated its fifth graduating cadet class last week, and I was a proud mother of two of those “junior officers.”
It’s a program that began in 2011, and I believe it is one of the best initiatives within our community that may go unnoticed by many. It was on the verge of disappearing, but thanks to city and police department leaders, it is back and hopefully here to stay.
It is just one of many positive movements within the Yazoo community that I believe deserves praise and gratitude for the purpose it serves among our young people.
Devie Freeman, a former Yazoo City officer who now works in Meridian, began the program seven years ago in an effort to educate children on the importance of community pride, respect of the law and the deterrence of bullying. And, as he said, he loved kids and wanted to do something with them on their level.
So many times parents threaten to “call the police” if their children become to hard to handle. This creates an unhealthy fear of law enforcement with many children looking to officers as “the bad guy.”
However, for the past week, my own two children have grown to admire the officers, especially those who were critical in their instruction.
Jamie Langston, Shannon Mahone and Mary Whisenton deserve a pat on their backs for the hard work and time they have spent with 33 children in this year’s program. Also, Chief Ron Sampson and other officers who assisted with keeping the program running smoothly this past week.
My daughter Elsie was even selected as a cadet leader and dubbed the little “Mrs. Jamie Langston” by her instructor. She even colored a picture for Jamie, telling her she loved her. And I honestly think, Elsie will remember the short time she spent with her.
And that is the underlying message through the whole program. My two children, and all the other mini-cadets, had a great bonding experience with the officers through this program. And that is what it is going to take to make the Yazoo community a success; engaging the next generation to respect and care for their community.
Programs such as the Police Academy, bridge a gap between the younger generation and adult leaders within our community. I believe it creates an impact that, hopefully, will change their attitude about their role as a productive citizen. It is also a program that brings together children of all ages, race and background to work together to earn their “badge.”
The Yazoo City Fire Department demonstrates that same concept with their own Fire Academy, which has proven to be successful as well over the years.
Rather than complain about what is wrong with our community, let’s look for ways to promote a positive nature and equip the next generation with a recipe for success.
Now, that’s not to say wear rose-colored glasses. Acknowledge that there are some issues, and those issues need to be exposed and recognized for what they are. But let’s also put that same amount of effort in supporting and giving gratitude to the good things we have going.
The world, even our communities, can be an ugly place from time to time. But seeing the innocence and pride on these little cadets’ faces last week showed me that there is hope for the future. And seeing that same level of pride in the adults who implemented the program is also hope that we can all still believe in a cause.
It’s a cause worth fighting for. It’s a badge worth wearing. And it’s a call for change.
