Police cards connect kids, cops

Police Chief Jeffrey W. Faries wants city youth to get to know their police officers -- and he wants them to have a little fun doing so.

A new set of trading cards featuring all 47 police officers in the agency, including the department's narcotics dog, is available to city youth -- or anyone else who wants to collect them, Faries said.

Each police officer gives away his or her own card. All children have to do is ask the officers for one when they see them on duty on the streets or at community events. The cards also are available at the police station at 201 James Ave. Faries hopes children can get to meet all the members of the police force, he said.

The colorful cards have the officer's photo with a U.S. flag background on the front and some information about what they do, their career history and their hobbies in the back.

The most popular card features Lou, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd mix that serves in the narcotics department. Lou is certified to detect a variety of illegal drugs, the card said, and has even won awards for doing so.

The police department allocated funds for the cards in this year's budget, almost two years after Faries presented the idea. The department bought 1,000 collections for nearly $4,000. The cards are distributed for free.

Officers are expected to be in city schools this month to give some away.

Faries said the cards, which have been available since last month and so far have been well-received in the community, will make area youth excited to learn about their police officers and begin a good relationship with the police department.

The ultimate goal, Faries said, is for card collectors to trust police so they will feel comfortable contacting the agency or individual officers to get help, report crimes, or even later on in life to become officers themselves.

"I collected cards myself when I was younger. I thought it would be fun to have our own trading cards in an effort to connect with the children," Faries said.
Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-5068 or .