A new initiative with SPS and Springfield Police have officers interacting with middle-school students.
“SPD in PE” is a program where officers will go into middle school physical education classes and participate in the days activities with them.
The group is working with the junior high students at Pipkin Middle School.
SPD Chief Paul Williams says the program has been well received by the students, and gives police officers a chance to ingratiate themselves with young people and become strong role models.
The initiative was previously held at Cherokee Middle School and Jarett Middle School, but was halted after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.