Police Officers Forge Relationship with Shriners Patients

SPRINGFIELD — A collaborative effort between the Springfield Police Department and the Child Life department at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield resulted in a fun-filled event where kids got to play with police officers.

The four officers spent a recent day off coloring and playing games with outpatients while they waited for their medical appointments, and made a visit to the inpatient rooms. A number of patients were excited to try on police equipment, and each one received a junior police badge of their own for a keepsake from the visit. This ongoing partnership is intended to forge positive relationships between patients, families, and local law enforcement.

“It was a great opportunity to interact with the patients,” said Springfield Police Sgt. Charles Howard. “The physical strength and positive energy displayed by the kids we interacted with was amazing. Making friends at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield is a remarkable experience.”