Adopt-a-Cop (2019 LGAA)

Village of Freeport
County: Nassau County
Population: More than 50,000
Village Hall: (516) 377-2300

The Village of Freeport has successfully implemented their Adopt-a-Cop program for the last twenty-four years. The program centers on fourth-grade classrooms in the Freeport Public School District “adopting” a local police-officer from the Freeport PD. The sponsored police-officer visits the children initially in the beginning of the year, and follows up with monthly check-ins. The program was designed around fostering a positive sense of trust and security in the children by law enforcement. The program ends with an annual “Adopt-a-Cop Day” where the police-officers showcase what it is like to be a police-officer, demonstrating some of the department’s equipment like K-9, motorcycle officers, Air Bureau and more. The Police Department attributes the program as a hallmark of awareness, and positive public opinions of the Department. The Village encourages all municipalities to implement a similar program, as it is a proactive measure to reassure positive exchange between law enforcement and the public, while also effectively dispelling negative stereotypes.