Police deliver warm smiles, drink with ‘Cocoa with the Po-po’

By Horace Holloman, The Champion
Original article HERE

Decatur police officers handed out approximately 200 cups of hot chocolate to teens on the Decatur bandstand Jan. 11 for the department’s first Cocoa with the Po-Po event.

Event organizers said the hot chocolate giveaway was an opportunity to meet with the city’s young residents.

Decatur police have previously hosted Coffee with a Cop, which is meant to target an older audience, in various locations throughout the city, said Decatur Police Sgt. John Bender. The Cocoa with the Po-Po event was specifically geared toward a younger crowd, he said.

“We hadn’t really reached out to the teenagers and middle schoolers to build a relationship with them, so what we decided was to do Cocoa with the Po-Po,” Bender said. “We picked a time and a place where all the kids hang out.”

Bender said Fridays at the Decatur bandstand in downtown Decatur is a popular hangout spot for the city’s teenagers and middle-schoolers.

“They usually come out here and go to the local ice cream shops, so we decided to come out and meet them here and interact with them just like we do coffee with a cop,” Bender said.

Cocoa with the Po-Po was originally scheduled for Dec. 20, but was postponed due to weather. Members of the Decatur Youth Council volunteered during the event and distributed the hot chocolate. Decatur police also provided marshmallows.

Officer Keck, who has been with the Decatur Police Department for more than five years, said she enjoyed attending the Cocoa with the Po-Po event.

“I enjoyed it. I think the high schoolers were a little hesitant at first, but I think they’re enjoying themselves getting to talk with some of the officers,” Keck said. “I think this helps build great relationships.”