Jr. Police

Third Graders become 'Junior' Police

Officer Brian Hubbard (pictured) reviews the Junior Police workbook with a student. For more than 30 years, students in Edina elementary schools have participated in the Junior Police program, sponsored jointly by the Edina Morningside Rotary Club and Edina Crime Prevention Fund. This program introduces children to some basic safety ideas and is an opportunity to meet and talk with an officer from the Edina Police Department.

Annually, six Edina police officers volunteer to teach the short program (two one hour visits to third-grade classrooms). Officers enjoy the interaction with the kids. Hubbard noted that students, "had quite a bit of interest in the typical daily duties of an officer, and it was fun to field their questions and provide a realistic view of law enforcement, in contrast to what they see on TV." Kids are given an activity workbook on the first visit. They complete it and bring it back the next week when officers visit a second time, accompanied by volunteers from Edina Morningside Rotary Club and Edina Crime Prevention Fund, who award students with their shiny gold "badges" and have their souvenir fingerprints taken.

For more information about the Junior Police program, contact Officer Mike Seeger at 952-826-1610. To volunteer, contact Mary Brindle [mbrindle@comcast.net].