NEW YORK (PIX11) – It is usually reporters questioning the NYPD Police Commissioner, but elementary school students got their chance Thursday afternoon.
The anti-violence group Harlem Mothers & Fathers S.A.V.E. hosted the “Ask The Police Commissioner” event at the Police Athletic League in Harlem.
Several students were chosen to ask Jessica Tisch questions ranging from "How do you become a police officer?" to "What new safety measures have been implemented since the last administration?"
Fourth grader Mariah Robertson tells PIX 11 News that if she were chosen to ask a question, she would have asked, "How does it feel to be a female police commissioner because there are not many females who get to be the police commissioner?"
Tisch joked with the students at one point, saying, "I'm going to tell you a little secret about me. I really like to be the boss!"
Founder of Harlem Mothers & Fathers SAVE, Jackie Rowe-Adams, said it is important to have an event where Police Officers interact with young people to improve community relations.
"All this negativity that's going on, let's stop, and let's stop this violence,” Rowe-Adams told PIX11 News. “Let's show our children that's coming up to take over the world. Let's show them that they are somebody!"
Alden Foster, the Assistant Commissioner of the Community Affairs Bureau, says this event is one of the numerous outreach programs geared toward the city's youth.
Foster tells PIX11 News that this summer, the department is hiring 1,000 youth between 16 and 24 years old to work alongside officers.
"It is going to give the young people an opportunity to get paid, work with the police department but also learn more about the police officers that protect them every day," Foster said.
More about the program can be found here.
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