Armed with honorary badges and identification cards, more than 100 second-graders have joined the ranks of the Austin Police Department.

Thursday, March 30, 2000

Armed with honorary badges and identification cards, more than 100 second-graders have joined the ranks of the Austin Police Department.

As part of Junior Police graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, students from Banfield and Southgate Elementary Schools participated, with more ceremonies this morning at Sumner and Neveln schools.

Austin Police Officer Travis Heickley, the school district’s liaison officer, and Officer Ernesto Cantu presented more than 100 second-graders at the schools with honorary badges and identification cards during the graduation sessions. The presentation marked the end of a four-week program aimed at making students aware of steps that can be taken to help stop crime at a young age.

"The program shows the students how they can help by being smart," Heickley said. "This is not Hollywood, where we chase the bad guys. We are here to serve people."

The students were presented topics during the course of a month, ranging from what to do if approached by strangers, "good touch and bad touch," vandalism and helping others. All second-graders in the district, including St. Augustine’s, participated in the program.

According to Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp, the program has been in place for more than 25 years.

"The goal is to connect the children with the officers," Philipp said. "We try to make children aware of the Police Department’s role and show them that we’re just people working in the community."

The relationship built between the students and the department also are of benefit for the youngsters in dealing with outside pressures that may be placed upon them.

"It gives them an out in a tough situation," Heickley said. "If they are being dared to do something, students can explain to others how they can help the Police Department. It also shows that officers are here to serve and help people, not get them in trouble."