Philly School District expands mentorship program pairing police officers with students

Board Member and former Stoneleigh Fellow Kevin Bethel spoke to WHYY about the School District of Philadelphia’s expansion of its mentorship program, which pairs school police officers with middle school students.

The School District of Philadelphia is expanding their mentorship program, which pairs school police officers with middle school students.

District officials said on Thursday this initiative is a long-term strategy to reduce gun violence in the city.

“Mentoring is so important,” said Kevin Bethel, a retired Philadelphia Police officer and the District’s Chief of School Safety. “The evidence identifies… if we just have one adult with a child, we can change the trajectory of that child forever.”

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