C.O.P.S. celebrates inaugural year

<span>To mark the conclusion of the first C.O.P.S. program, the Chester Police Department hosted a party for all of its C.O.P.S. graduates at Chester Skateland on Wednesday.</span>

<span>The Chester Police Department's initiative, which stands for Challenging Ourselves and Promoting Safety, is a seven-week program developed in conjunction with the Chester Grade School.</span>

<span>The program covers issues relevant to our children's lives and is adapted to the needs and challenges of the CPD's target age group, which is fifth grade. </span>

<span>The C.O.P.S. program integrates drug and gang resistance lessons, but also provides a broader list of hot topics our children face every day.</span>

<span>Some of those topics include; Stereotyping/Discrimination/Bullying, Short and Long Term Effects of Drug/Alcohol/Nicotine Abuse, Workshop demonstrations on how alcohol/drugs affect your judgement, Assertive Refusal Skills relative to Peer Pressure associated with Drug and Alcohol Use, and The Dangers and Consequences of Unsecured Guns.</span>

<span>Additional activities included having an opportunity to sit in a police car and learn about the equipment police officers use. Children also got an opportunity to view a canine demonstration and meet "Sabo," the CPD's canine officer. </span>

<span>One benefit the program offers the children is an opportunity to spend time with a police officer and to develop a positive relationship with police personnel. One of the CPD's primary goals is that this positive police interaction is one that they can carry into adulthood. </span>

<span>Plans to expand the program next year are under way. Over the summer months, CPD officials plan to present our program to Chester's two parochial schools' (St. Mary's Catholic and St. John Lutheran) respective Boards of Education.</span>

<span>Officer Bobby Helmers, the program's coordinator, is working on the expansion of the curriculum so that it will be ready for next year, as the length of the program is set to expand as well.</span>

<span>According to Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey, Wednesday's party was all about having fun and celebrating a very productive program.</span>

<span>The children were treated to a day of fun at Skateland, which included hamburgers and hot dogs, skating, games and a host of other activities. The party was supported by a group of volunteers that included CPD officers, city officials, and community volunteers. </span>

<span>CPD staff would like to thank its support businesses: Andy's Auto Body, Rozier's Country Mart, Chester Wal-Mart, and the Chester Diary for their generous contributions. </span>

<span>CPD officials also want to thank Mayor Tom Page and Alderman Dan Geisen for being a part of the fun day and for their continued support of the program.</span>

<span>A big thanks to Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter for all of her party planning assistance and to her staff and volunteers; Judy Wunderlich, Kim Gross, Kaitlyn Wunderlich and Daulton Stahlheber for working hard to make the day fun for the children. </span>

<span>The CPD also wishes to express its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the fifth grade students and teachers of the Chester Grade School for their support and enthusiastic participation in the program.</span>