Police rewarding good kids with 7-Eleven Slurpees

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Police rewarding good kids with 7-Eleven Slurpees

Around Osceola

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 00:00

The Kissimmee Police Department is offering children an opportunity to be cool.
Through Operation Chill, officers will “ticket” youngsters with Slurpee coupons when they observe them being safe, deterring crime or doing a good deed.
Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven to positively reward and encourage good behavior by children during the hot summer months, when there is often an increase in loitering, shoplifting and graffiti, a police department press release stated. The success and popularity of Operation Chill has resulted in the program being extended beyond the summer months to a year-round tool for local law enforcement officers to use during the school year as well.
“The Kissimmee Police Department has been involved with Operation Chill since the program’s inception in 1996,” Chief Fran Iwanski said. “The officers use the Slurpee coupons as an ice breaker with kids. It’s a way to reward them for good deeds as well as enhance the relationship between the officers and the young people of Kissimmee. It gives the officer more opportunities to interact with children in a positive manner; reinforcing the message that children can always approach a police officer.”
Each officer has different ways for the children to earn Slurpee coupons. Some will give a child a coupon for wearing their bicycle helmet or for answering a safety-related question correctly. Others will reward the youngster for doing a good deed or assisting another resident, the press release stated.
Kissimmee Police officers began handing out the coupons this week and will continue throughout the summer, while the supplies last.
Kissimmee canine teams get certified
The three Kissimmee Police Department canine teams have completed their annual certification in Perry.
Each year Florida Department of Law Enforcement requires police canine teams to pass a series of tests in order to maintain their certification.
The department’s canine units take the certification one step further and maintain their certification through the North American Police Work Dog Association, according to a department press release.
Kissimmee canine teams Officer Bobby Seich and K9 Maxx and Officer Glen Ford and K9 Dangen have achieved the Police Utility Dog Certification completing testing in obedience, both on and off leash, with verbal and hand commands, article search, area search, building search, tracking/trailing and aggression control. Officer Joe Mata and K9 Reno received certification in obedience including on and off leash.
All three Kissimmee police canine teams have earned the title Narcotic Detection Team ,being able to detect marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine concealed in vehicles, buildings and lockers.
“Our canine teams train regularly to maintain peak performance,” Chief Fran Iwanski said. “Each training session includes the techniques that are required for annual certification.”