'Bigs in Blue' program pairs officers with at-risk kids

DALLAS - A new mentoring program kicked off in Dallas Thursday between the Dallas Police Department and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

About 300 officers across the city will be paired up with at-risk children to help build trusting, lasting relationships.

They will commit between 30 minutes and an hour each week to mentoring and interacting with the child. That could be helping with homework, playing ball or just talking.

DPD Assistant Chief Paul Stokes and Bill Chin, the president of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Lone Star, stopped by Good Day to talk about the “Bigs in Blue” program.

“Community relations is such a huge part for the city of Dallas. So this gives officers an opportunity to actually mentor an at-risk child one-on-one and we believe the benefits of that one-on-one will have a ripple effect in the community,” Stokes said.

So far the program has already raised $1 million. That money will go towards safety and matching social workers with the children, their parents and the officers.

For more information, visit www.bbbs.org/bigs-in-blue/.