Building trust is the first step in bridging the gap between our youth and the police department. First Encounter Engagement Program will be a community event focused on teaching life skills, effective communication, increasing confidence, and developing critical thinking tools to assist with daily life tasks.

 

Heroes of New Orleans & New Orleans Police Department is committed to “Community Oriented Policing” by engaging each neighborhood and community organization in a collaborative problem-solving partnership. Police Officers from each district will develop a mentoring relationship with each participant in the First Encounter Engagement Program to foster a greater connection to the youth within their district. Through the skills officers and community members are teaching the youth, increasing relationship-building opportunities with police officers and community members decreases the rate of crime, juvenile detention population, and truancy. Each participant who completes the First Encounter Engagement Program will leave with a certified membership card. The membership card provides the youth with a mentor contact for the NOPD and Heroes of New Orleans which can aid as a resource during a time of need.