Canton Officers To Launch Mentoring Program in Schools

CANTON, GA -- The Canton Police Department and the Cherokee County School District will soon begin a partnership that will allow them to build relationships with at-risk youth in the community.

The mentorship program will launch at ACE Academy and Teasley Middle School, and allows those facing personal, social or academic challenges a chance to learn from the men and women in blue.

With parental consent, the program's goal is for officers to establish a relationship with a struggling student, which in turn could improve that child's self-esteem, decrease the chances of a student using drugs or alcohol and help that student plan for his or her's future.

Canton officers plan to begin the program in March, and will continue to meet with identified students one day each month until the end of the school year.

Canton Police Chief Mark Mitchell said the agency is excited to enter into its partnership with the school district. The idea originated with officer Tiffanie Smithwick, and Mitchell said he encouraged her to explore how it could be implemented at local schools.

"Just like our Read with a Cop partnership, we believe it is vitally important for our officers to connect, engage and build trusting relationships with the diverse group of students in our schools and community," he added. "Our organization feels this is a critical part of our community policing philosophy and will allow this agency the opportunity to guide, mentor and coach struggling students in a positive direction which is imperative, especially during this time in our nation’s history.”

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