Image: Chilliwack RCMP officer with a police car filled with donuts / Contributed

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Community Safety

Chilliwack RCMP breaking down barriers with the help of donuts

Feb 25, 2024 | 6:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack RCMP Schools and Youth Team has been making its rounds in local secondary schools armed with donuts and a commitment to open dialogue.

Throughout January and February, officers have engaged with students, creating conversations that delve into various topics, from criminal law to the intricacies of being an RCMP officer. The initiative, named “Donut with a Cop,” is a unique approach to breaking down barriers between law enforcement and youth.

Image: RCMP officer and student doing push-ups while eating a donut / Contributed

Cst. Bradley Holditch, a member of the Schools and Youth Team, shared, “There’s always been coffee with a cop to encourage conversation with the community we serve, but kids don’t drink coffee,” said Cst. Bradley Holditch, a member of the Schools and Youth Team. “So we came up with the idea of something else, donuts. It’s been an amazing opportunity to encourage conversation with youth.”

The officers recognize the need to connect with the community’s younger members. The interactions extend beyond surface-level conversations, contributing to community trust-building. Police believe establishing positive relationships early in life makes youth more likely to turn to officers as allies and resources rather than viewing them with mistrust.

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On the first day of the initiative, officers met with 400 students and shared 850 donuts. The “Donut with a Cop” program is proving to be a sweet success for the local RCMP.