By Police1
WINONA, Minn. — The Winona Police Department held its annual Cops-N-Kids event Saturday to help children learn to be comfortable with law enforcement, Winona Daily News reported.
Cops-N-Kids is a way to bridge the gap between police and the community they serve, Community Liaison Eric Mueller told the publication.
“We’re not the boogeyman,” Mueller told the news site. “I never signed on to be the boogeyman.”
The event helps the community understand why cops do what they do by allowing the department to express its goal of protecting the community and making everyone in it feel safe.
Inside a rec center, the department set up different stations for children to visit, including obstacle courses, a squad tour and a meet and greet with one of the department’s K-9s, Neko.
The department is working hard to combat the recent negative portrayals of officers in mainstream media, Mueller told Winona Daily News. He wants people to feel comfortable enough to come to police when they have a problem.
“Don’t treat us like we’re the enemy,” Mueller said. “If everybody gave a police officer a chance, they look intimidating sometimes, but once you walk up, you’ll be amazed at how warm and friendly they are.”