By Dalinda Ifill
While conflict between police and the communities they serve intensifies across the nation as a result of the publicized killings of unarmed black men and women, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is launching a program that may help alleviate some of that tension.
The “Bigs in Blue” program launched in Boston on Jan. 12 at a press conference with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay manager Chris Jones.
“Folks in Boston and other places feel the impact of these instances regardless of what their police-community relationship might look like,” said Jones, the community engagement and recruitment manager for the regional Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The local program calls for Boston police officers to mentor youth between the ages of 7 and 12.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America started Bigs In Blue last November in an effort to rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve. The program exists in cities across the nation but each city tailors its own design of the program to meet its needs.
“We’re looking at some of the best practices and ways to recruit officers for the program,” Jones said, noting that the initiative in Boston is just getting started.
(Video by Mario David Zepeda an Mukala Kabongo)
Recruiting efforts geared towards Boston police precincts include e-mail blasts, Facebook posts, and a promotional video to show during roll call.
“We’re looking to make the process seamless and convenient for officers,” Jones said.
“This really is about having a meaningful impact on the youth with which Boston Police are matched. We want to make sure officers are thinking about the time commitment it will take to be matched with someone,” Jones said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay wants to recruit a minimum of twenty-five officers for the program to mentor twenty-five “littles” – the term used for mentees.
(Video by Mario David Zepeda an Mukala Kabongo)
Boston Police Officer Jeffery Lopes is currently a “big” at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. He is looking forward to extending his two years as a “big brother” and being a part of the “Bigs In Blue” initiative:
“To me being a big brother is creating a positive role model for disadvantaged youth. It’s a relationship built on getting to know one another and helping littles grow through time,” he said. The Bigs In Blue program is a great way to get young people from the communities connected with law enforcement by bridging the gap between police officers and young people in the community. It allows for positive change with the youth and the community. These relationships allow for youth and community members to view members of law enforcement as regular people versus always looking at them as authoritative figures.”
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Boston Police who volunteer for Bigs in Blue will be matched with youth from their community or a school near their precinct. Matchings will be based on shared interests such as academic and extracurricular activities.
Officers will first undergo an extensive interview process and a background check. Once an officer is matched, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay will appoint a match-support-person from its staff to oversee the growth and development of the pair.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay works directly with Boston Police Department to recruit officers. “The more officers we can get engaged in these mentoring matches would be awesome, but I think long term we really hope that this just has a really positive impact on the communities,” Jones said.
They will also work with community partners such as the Boys and Girls Club and infinity groups such as Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers to help further engage youth and officers.
“Bigs In Blue is a great initiative for the kids in the neighborhood to get on the right track,” said Denise DePina Reed, vice president of the minority officers association.
According to Jones, police officer volunteers are expected to make a year-long commitment to Bigs In Blue Massachusetts.