Temple Police Department inspires students through read-alouds

Temple University Police Officer Arashdeep Bawa visits a local elementary school to read to students. Photo credit: Matt Perillo.

The Temple University Police Department has found a unique way to bond with the local students in North Philadelphia – through books. Last fall, the department launched “Cops in the Classroom,” a community-centered program that encourages students to find joy in reading. Each week, a police officer from the department visits a local classroom to read to the students and facilitate conversations about important topics covered in the stories such as safety and kindness. 

The goal of the program is to foster a love of reading and to build connections between the students and officers, who can serve as reading role models. According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™, having adults in a child’s life who prioritize reading is key to developing frequent readers. Six in 10 kids say that a lot or nearly everyone in their life enjoys reading, with children who are frequent readers more likely than those who are infrequent readers to say that a lot or nearly everyone in their lives enjoys reading (80% of frequent readers vs. 26% of infrequent readers). 

The program inspires the kids to love reading, but it is also a positive experience for the officers who bring the stories to life by using different voices, making funny faces, and coming into the classroom with a lot of energy. Captain of Community Engagement Enoch McCoy said his favorite part of the program is the connection that forms between the officers and the students. 

“We want to achieve positive engagement, and we want to allow our community to know that we are here for their children; we are here for their families.” McCoy continued, “The officers also benefit from being involved in something different and having the fulfillment that they are setting an example for someone who is young, and someone who might take that interaction and allow it to help them develop a better understanding of our police officers.” 

Mrs. Angela McCrea and Ms. Linnea Hunter are teachers from Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School, one of the schools the officers regularly visit. When asked their favorite part of the program, Mrs. McCrea responded, “The interaction between the officer, literature, and the children is delightful. I am happy to see the positive interaction between them.” 

The teachers explained that the books read are often centered around community and character, all while promoting positive self-esteem, encouraging students to thrive, and fostering cognitive skills. After they finish the book, the officers talk with the students about what they read and sometimes share their favorite childhood books and stories. 

The central message from both Captain McCoy and the teachers was consistent: this program both motivates students to read and allows them to build connections with their local officers. “The children request that the officers return,” Mrs. McCrea said. “The students want to talk and ask questions.”