As part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department youth outreach and Sheriff Jim McDonnell’s Back to School Teen Dialogue series, Sheriff McDonnell hosted a second event with youth from the Los Angeles Chapter of Concerned Black Men National’s mentorship program.
Wednesday morning, September 16, 2015, 45 middle school boys filled seats in an Art Deco era courtroom-now conference room, and were joined by department personnel who are members of the Black Peace Officers Association (BPOA) in an inspiring and in-depth roundtable discussion relative to law enforcement careers and community-police relationships.
The young men had an opportunity to hear the personal and professional paths taken, and the perspectives of several men on the Department, from deputy level to executive level, which were sincerely relayed to be positive examples of how hard work, education and diligence lead to achievement.
During the dialogue, Central Patrol Division Commander Joe Gooden was asked if being in law enforcement is difficult. “Everything in life is difficult; it’s how you handle it that makes the difference. Do the right thing,” he responded. “The things you do today –choices and decisions you make- impact the rest of your life. Make good choices.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department partnered with the County of Los Angeles Public Library for the roundtable discussion. Representative Ernest Romero, Teen Services Librarian, also participated in the dialogue and provided an overview of library system resources which can be used to greatly support the youths’ educational success.
After the roundtable discussion, the mentees were presented with backpacks purchased by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the BPOA. The backpacks were filled with educational supplies like notebooks with County of Los Angeles Public Library logo, Pens and Pencils, Scholastic Books, Earbuds, 1GB flash drives, and a library card, all donated by the Los Angeles Public Library.
The Los Angeles Chapter of Concerned Black Men National’s mentorship program has a total of 100 mentees, and although not all the youths could attend, they will also receive one of the 120 backpacks, supplies and library cards.
The Back to School Dialogue is the second roundtable discussion from the Teen Dialogue series launched on April 28, 2015. In April, BPOA Chair/Lieutenant Duane Allen, Vice Chair/Captain Matt Burson and member Captain Myron Johnson kicked off the series by engaging students from the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Charter School’s Academy of Opportunity and participants in the Concerned Black Men National’s mentorship program. The visit consisted of a dialogue relative to law enforcement careers and community-police relationships. There were 25 middle school boys and three mentors who participated in that dialogue.
To continue partnership and support of the Concerned Black Men National’s mentorship program, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held their End of Year Ceremony this past June at the Hall of Justice. During the ceremony, BPOA presented a $5,000 donation to the Concerned Black Men National’s mentorship program. Today’s Back to School Dialogue further advances engagement of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in building relationships with these mentored youth and in supporting their academic achievement.
