BLUEFIELD, WV (WOAY) – The Bluefield Police Department is relaunching their Police Explorers program for local kids.
The program is designed to educate children about the police. It originally started earlier this year but was put on hold during the pandemic. To restart it, they’ll be reading educational books about the police online, where children can watch and listen from home. Families are also welcome to stop by the police station to pick up a copy of the book to read at home with their kids.
Brian Copenhaver, a lieutenant that works with the program, says it’s a great resource for children and families.
“I think the kids need to know that we’re their friends. We’re here to help them if they need help. It’s also been a good platform for education with the police K9s and other service dogs out here. Not to pet them unless you ask first, how to act around the dogs. And it’s really educational for the kids,” Copenhaver said.
The police department plans to read two educational books online each month, and the first one is already available. Videos of the online readings can be seen from the department’s Facebook page.