Cypress Police Department named “Community Policing Organization of the Year”

The following information was released by the Cypress Police Department.

On Friday, April 27, 2012, the Cypress Police Department was honored by Crime Survivors at their 2012 Annual Awards Banquet as the “Community Policing Organization of the Year.” The award recognized the Cypress Police Department for its continued dedication to helping youth in the community become men and women of character.

The Cypress Police Department has maintained a presence in local elementary schools through its D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program since 1985. In response to changing issues facing our youth, the Cypress Police Department collaborated with the Cypress and Savanna School Districts, Saint Irenaeus Catholic School, and Grace Christian School to develop a unique program that continued providing traditional drug resistance education while adding modern elements such as Internet Safety, anti-bullying, and character education. As a result of this collaboration, the D.A.R.E. program was replaced by a new program called P.A.C.E. (Positive Actions thru Character Education). The P.A.C.E program is based on the Josephson Institute’s “Character Counts!” program and emphasizes the “Six Pillars of Character” (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship) throughout the 10 week program.

Cypress Police Chief Jackie Gomez-Whiteley said, “The Cypress Police Department strives to work hand in hand with the community to provide exceptional police services. The P.A.C.E. program is an example of this relationship. When our parents, educators, and law enforcement professionals work together our youth have a much better chance of being successful.”

For more information on the Cypress Police Department’s P.A.C.E. program, please contact Community Outreach Officer Julie Marquez at 714-229-6626.