If Yakeisha Hines had her way, more Prince George’s County kids would be interacting with law enforcement officers.
The sergeant in the sheriff’s office was recently honored for her work with young people when she was named the American Legion’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Prince George’s County. Hines, who leads the Community Partnership Division, re-established the office’s Police Explorers and DARE programs nearly a decade ago and has been trying to connect youth and police ever since.
“I always had an interest in working with young people,” said Hines, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who began her career there working in juvenile court. “It just kind of evolved into my primary duties.”
The Police Explorers program mentors teenagers who are interested in law enforcement work; DARE sends officers into elementary schools to teach students about drugs and alcohol.
“Most of their experience with law enforcement is negative, trouble they’ve gotten into and seen their parents get into,” Hines said. “It’s a great way to bridge that gap.”
The explorers shadow officers and participate in programs from Shop with a Cop to school career days. They also serve as peer mediators when parents contact the sheriff’s office about behavioral problems involving young people.
“Anything I can get them involved in the community I try to get them involved in,” Hines said.
For some explorers, that turns into a career. In Prince George’s County, Hines said, one sheriff’s deputy and one police officer are alumni of the program. Two others have applied to the county’s police academy and are waiting to be accepted.
And Hines isn’t done yet. This school year, she started a mentoring program in four county middle schools. Deputies give presentations on conflict resolution, anger management, bullying, respect and any other behavioral issues the schools are dealing with, Hines said.
“We’re well-rounded, trying to reach all ages,” she said.
