Longport Police - Hearts Behind the Badge initiative
On Saturday, August 3rd, members of the Longport Police Department took part in a community policing initiative they are calling “Hearts behind the Badge”.
“Hearts behind the Badge” was designed to utilize the strengths of each individual officer in an effort to uniquely bond with the community.
Today’s event, a basketball clinic, was led by Ofc. Shaune Slattery, a local standout basketball player from Mainland Regional High School and former team captain of the Division I LaSalle University Women’s Basketball team. Ofc. Slattery regularly trains youth through summer and winter recreational basketball leagues. Today she used those skills to show local youth that police are approachable and have similar interests.
Officers Quinton Wright and Matthew Long along with SLEO I Officers Brandon Garofalo and Timothy Tighe assisted Slattery with the skills training. For two hours, the boys and girls worked on footwork, dribbling, shooting, and competition drills.
“This is one of many initiatives we will be utilizing to bring people together and develop important bonds of trust between the young people of our community and Longport’s law enforcement officers”, said Patrolman Frank Lupperger-Longport Police Community Policing Liaison.
“As a Police Department, we believe strongly in creating positive relationships with the community, especially the youth. Events like the basketball clinic provide kids with the unique opportunity to interact with police officers in ways they never have before and create memories they will not soon forget” said Slattery.