Training Tomorrow’s Leaders

Edmond Police Department Summer Leadership Program

By Taylor Bollinger

For the second summer in a row, the Edmond Police Department is welcoming local students to the Summer Leadership Program. Created and led by officers Amy Brooks and Demetrius Kirk, the program aims to equip emerging young leaders with the skills and experiences they need to continue their positive impact on their peers, community, and world. Dr. Kartina McDaniel with OKC Public Schools Administration assisted the officers in developing the curriculum and local boxer Robin Robinson Jr. helps train the students.

“Amy and I had both worked as school resource officers, and were very involved in community events, and outreach with children,” said Officer Kirk. “We began to notice a rise in behavioral issues in elementary-aged children. Though we knew we couldn’t reach every single child in our community, we started to think about practical ways to make a difference for as many kids as possible.”

The officers took their idea to Edmond Public Schools, partnering with leaders to create original curriculum and identify candidates for the first Summer Leadership Program.

“We know that leadership is a domino effect,” Officer Kirk said. “When we strengthen one student, they can then go into their school and help raise other kids up as well.”

Over the summer, the program will welcome around 60 incoming third, fourth, and fifth-grade students as they hear from local leaders like Mayor Davis, FBI and OSBI agents, and gain practical skills like financial literacy training through First United Bank.

“We give them the chance to serve others and give back to the community that is shaping them,” Officer Brooks said. “They’ve helped with bingo at a local nursing home, cleaned up at Arcadia Lake, and ran a lemonade stand to raise funds for a local animal shelter.”

Art and physical activity are also integral parts of the program, as students create vision boards for their future, write thank-you notes to someone who has positively impacted their life, and glove up for boxing practice from a trained professional.

“One of the most important aspects is boxing,” Officer Kirk explained. “We practice for an hour each day, and it’s amazing how much confidence it builds. You can see a huge difference between the first and final day.”

Program leaders aren’t the only ones noting the difference in children throughout the program.

“I can’t thank Officer Brooks and Officer Kirk enough for this leadership program,” said the parent of one participant. “I’ve noticed such a change in my child. Her attitude and thought process about everything has improved tremendously. Having her hear things from someone else’s perspective has helped me incredibly. I am truly grateful for this program.”

Though the program is an intensive lesson in leadership, the officers always make room for fun.

“We love seeing kids build accountability, respect, and nurture that inner desire to be better,” Officer Brooks said. “But thanks to the generosity of our community, donating movie tickets, ice cream, and so much more, they have fun doing it.”

Contact Officer Kirk at demetrius.kirk@edmondok.gov for more information on the Edmond Police Department Summer Leadership Program.