‘Beyond the Badge’ program designed to connect Columbia police to community

Five new Columbia police officers will go through a community outreach program to kick off their law enforcement careers, part of a new initiative by the police department to bridge the gap between police and the community they serve.

The Beyond the Badge program was designed by Columbia Police Department’s second-in-command Deputy Chief Melron Kelly, who said the initiative will be a good way for new officers to meet the people they serve.

Kelly said he developed the program after speaking with longtime Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell, who has implemented a similar project.

“What is a better way for our new officers to meet the community they serve?” Kelly said. “These are brand new officers, so many of them haven’t been on the road yet. It’s a great way to get their feet wet meeting the people in the community.”

Kelly said the officers will serve at a variety of local organizations including:

Monday: Harvest Hope Food Bank

Tuesday: Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital

Wednesday: Epworth Children’s Home

Thursday: Transitions, United Way of the Midlands, Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter

Friday: Washington Street UMC soup kitchen, Oak Read High Rise

All future officers who join the Columbia Police Department will go through the same week of service, Kelly said.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "‘Beyond the Badge’ program designed to connect Columbia police to community."