RELATED: Denise Williams to serve third term as NAACP Springfield president
The game helps foster relationships in the community, Springfield Police Chief Steve Moody said.
“It’s a great event,” Moody said. “There’s a lot of building relationships. It’s a competition on the court, but there’s also a lot of camaraderie with the players and the people in the neighborhoods. We get to look in each other’s eyes and it’s not on a call for service.”
The church began opening its gym on Monday nights for young men ages 18 through 35 to play basketball about seven years ago, said Neal Browning, chairman of the NAACP young adult committee.
A few police officers began playing in the open gym and it eventually led to a game between public safety personnel and others who participate in the open gym. After a great turnout, the NAACP decided to host the game annually, Browning said.
DETAILS: Video of Springfield Police playing football with kids watched thousands of times
The game fosters good relationships between law enforcement and the community, he said, instead of confrontation.
“You get more things done when you’re looking at things as teammates,” Browning said. “I think that’s where we’re going in this city and it’s been long overdue.”
This year the officers and community members will compete on the same team, Browning said.
Browning remembers watching officers compete in the Police Athletic League as a child, which he said helped young people see officers out of uniform.
“We related to them,” he said.
Several police officers and firefighters also will share stories about their careers before the game, starting at noon.
“It gives our young men a chance to hear something about a career they may not have heard about,” Browning said.
The event is open to the public.
“I’m expecting a great turnout,” he said.
About the Author