Bill Westenberger

Exploring our Future Through Service

BY BILL WESTENBERGER

In my first article, I discussed the core values of the Kennesaw Police Department (KPD) and how these values help guide and navigate our agency and officers through difficult times and tough situations. The core values of the KPD are respect, integrity, service and excellence (RISE). KPD serves the community by sponsoring several programs.

Nationally, community policing has become a relatively complex subject. A small part of this concept is striving to become better servants in our communities. KPD has many programs focused on engaging and building relationships with members of the community. New opportunities, such as Crisis Intervention Training and the Citizens Police Academy, provide us with a template on how community policing works. However, these programs are geared toward adults and oftentimes, the youth in our communities are left behind. Not only do we desire to serve the adults of our community, we also want to engage and build relationships with youth. The young men and women of our communities are the future of our world, and we must make every effort to engage with them and provide programs that will enhance their futures.

KPD serves the youth of our community in many ways; we support programs such as the Jerry Worthington Christmas Fund and Shop with a Cop. However, these programs are limited in time and the scope of outreach. Two other youth programs, the Police Explorers and the Chief’s Youth Advisory Board, are longer lasting in time and have depth in the scope of outreach. Both programs provide youth with an opportunity to engage and build long-lasting relationships with KPD.

KPD Explorers serve vital roles in helping police officers during city events and festivals.

The Chief’s Youth Advisory Board currently has 10 young men and women who are actively engaged in discussing current social events, including specific issues and difficulties that police departments face on a daily basis. Topics range from underage drinking to police use of force and public perception of police. The discussions are guided to identify a problem and think critically about a resolution. When presented with an issue, the group often provides feedback that is insightful and gives a perspective that would surprise most adults. The board meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month, and it is open to youth ranging from seventh grade to college students.

The Police Explorers is a hands-on, career-based education program offered in partnership with Boy Scouts of America. The program serves young men and women, ages 14-21, and it currently has 15 members. The intent of the program is to foster valuable life skills, such as interpersonal communication, writing and articulation, critical thinking, self discipline and leadership. The Explorers program involves a two-prong approach, including a classroom and a real-world scenario exposure. Explorers learn about police-related topics in a way that makes it easy to apply in real life challenges. The KPD Explorers program is designed to instill a sense of community values within each member, through volunteer service, as it plays a critical role at many city events, such as the Big Shanty Festival, Salute to America celebration, Grand Prix 5K races and Pigs and Peaches BBQ Festival. The group meets from 6:15-9 p.m. every Wednesday.

KPD is proud to serve our youth. With young and engaged minds, we can look forward to a bright future. We would like to extend an invitation to youth interested in either program. To learn more, email Sgt. Matthew Meade at mmeade@kennesaw-ga.gov.

Until next time … stay safe!

Bill Westenberger has served as chief since 2008. He was given the 2019 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Award.