Friday, February 27, 2015

Officer Completes D.A.R.E. Training

Edina, Minn., Feb. 23, 2015 – Patrol Officer Kenna Dick graduated from Minnesota D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer Training Feb. 5. The graduation ceremony was held at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dick was one of 30 officers to complete the program.

The D.A.R.E. program teaches elementary-aged students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives and choose to live free of violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. Instructors are formally trained before going into the classroom.

The Minnesota D.A.R.E. Officer training is not easy to complete. “This is a huge accomplishment for Kenna and for the City. It takes a lot of effort to complete such intense work – especially with Kenna’s very busy schedule,” said Deputy Police Chief Jeff Elasky, who has also completed the program.

The intense, two-week course took place Jan. 26-Feb. 6 at the Minnesota BCA. The training involved individual homework assignments, group work, listening to presentations, taking tests and presenting in formal classrooms.

Extensive training coupled with Dick’s busy schedule as a mother meant that the training was challenging at times. “The most difficult part was being away from my two little ones during long nights at training,” said Dick. “Also, staying up late to prepare lesson plans and complete homework was difficult.”

Despite the obstacles that Dick’s training presented her with, she knows that it will greatly benefit her future and assist her in becoming a better public speaker, especially with younger audiences.

“This experience was the best training I have ever had … the best thing in the world is educating kids,” said Dick.

Starting next week, Dick will share all that she has learned with the fifth graders at Our Lady of Grace School. Lisa Kapala and Sgt. Brian Hubbard are also D.A.R.E Officers, but Dick is the only one who will be teaching classes. She hopes to teach in the public school system during some point in her career as well.

For more information, contact the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610.

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The City of Edina
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424
mail@EdinaMN.gov 952-927-8861

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