Page 49 - May 2018 FOP Magazine

Members Only Section
Celebrating Lodge 7 members and the way they serve every day
Senior class
7th District starts City’s first senior law enforcement academy
n BY ERIKA WURST
Citizen police academy programs are nothing new to the City of Chicago Police Department, but this April, 007 took the im- portant initiative one step further.
The District has launched the City’s first Senior Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, which has quickly drawn the attention of dozens of seniors throughout the community.
The class, which was put together by Officer Roderique Mc- Clain, brings seniors and officers together to discuss ways that the two groups impact each other. Various departments — in- cluding gang investigations, narcotics, VICE, IDOT, youth ser- vices and the K-9 unit — meet with the group of about 45 se- niors each week during the six-week program. Classes run for two hours and include presentations and question-and-answer sessions. Run much like a regular citizens’ academy, the focus of this particular class is on the seniors.
“We really wanted to explain what each unit does and how it is specifically able to help or impact seniors,” McClain said.
Seniors were initially confused as to what the district’s nar- cotics unit had to do with them, until they learned that there was a bigger overlap than they realized.
“Seniors in this room probably don’t sell narcotics, but young narcotics users become old narcotics users, and it remains a problem,” McClain explained.
The class participants, ranging in age from 60 to 90, were also schooled on financial crimes. It was a topic that many found relevant. Many seniors nodded their heads in agreement as offi- cers highlighted ways in which seniors are being duped.
“They are all so excited to be there and are really paying at- tention to everything,” McClain said.
From the lady who owns her own beauty business to the radio station owner, the tea shop owner and parents of law enforce- ment officers, the class is ripe with diversity.
“It’s been very educational for me, as well as the students,” McClain said.
As the head of the District’s senior services subcommittee, McClain prides himself on his active involvement with the com- munity’s older residents. He attends many events and gets his face out in the community. It’s no surprise that he is familiar with many of his students, but at each meeting, he’s met by at least 10 fresh faces.
“It’s amazing to be able to meet all of these new people,” Mc- Clain said, and more importantly, to be able to help them un- derstand the workings of his department.
Each week, McClain also brings in a different community partner or agency that deals with senior citizens. The organiza- tions spend the first part of the class explaining what they can do for the participants.
7th District Officer Roderique McClain with Barbra Prude, one of the seniors who attended the Senior Law Enforcement Academy in 007.
“They provide information that seniors wouldn’t have if they didn’t attend this academy,” McClain said proudly.
He hopes to host a second academy this fall, giving him more time to prep and promote. He put together the inaugural class in just over a month.
“No other district is doing what we’re doing,” McClain said, adding that he hopes the idea spreads and catches on through- out the City. d
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