CMPD program builds strong, lasting relationships between students and officers

Interacting with kids sometimes presents special challenges to law enforcement officials. It can be especially difficult in the current state of America.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, like many others across the country, hosts a number of camps and opportunities for Charlotte youths.

One of those standout programs is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Envision Academy.

“It’s been a great opportunity. It gave me skills to build my career and meet people in the communication field,” said Mike Wimberly, a recent graduate of West Meck High School.

The academy was started in 2016 by then-Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney. He wanted a program that gave local kids exposure to different career, college and recreational opportunities.

Still going strong, the program is led by Lt. LeBraun Evans with a team of community-minded officers dedicated to improving the future of every Envision Academy participant.

Envision Academy provides participants with a scholarship and 160 hours of interaction with officers while increasing their community knowledge, exploring issues that affect the community and creating a platform so they can envision a better future for themselves and Charlotte.

About 120 applications were taken for the eight-week summer program. After an interview process, 80 scholars were chosen.

“I was fascinated with CMPD,” said Ivette Rubio, a recent graduate of South Meck High School. “With everything that is going on in the world, like Black Lives Matter, I wanted to see how cops handle things and what they experience.”

The scholars spend time with CMPD officers who serve as mentors during the eight-week program. They are able to build positive relationships with the officers and get to know them on a personal level.

“The program changed my view because I got to know them, to get closer to them, and they’re really good people,” Rubio said.

Each week focused on a broad theme that is supported by local businesses and nonprofits: Envision Orientation; Envision Government, Politics and Justice; Envision the City; Envision the Environment; Envision the Economy; Envision Health and Human Services; Envision Education; and Envision the Future.

Over the course of the program, participants had presentations from hosts like Lowe’s Home Improvement, Honeywell and Bank of America. They also learned about careers in media, broadcasting and journalism from our staff at WSOC-TV and Telemundo Charlotte.

Each of the host sites gave an overview of many different career paths that are available to the youngsters.

The presentation covered a wide range of opportunities from banker to television anchor, blue-collar work to community advocacy.

Yesterday this amazing group of young people took to the stage at the Northside Baptist Church to share their stories and give exit presentations about the program.

While the presentations were supposed to give the highlights of the scholars’ favorite experiences and what they learned during the program, the positive relationships that were built between the scholars and the police officers was very apparent.

“These officers could be your friend, your family, and we need these types of cops to protect us,” Rubio said.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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