ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Roanoke City Police are spending some afternoons off of patrol and helping with tutoring at the West End Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters Oliver Hill House and new this year, the Community Youth Program at Saint John's Episcopal Church.
"He helps me with the hard questions, times tables and division. Those can be pretty hard sometimes," said Kany'e Bonds, a Lincoln Terrace Elementary student who goes to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program after school.
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"We're not just standing by going 'hey we're going to wait till they're adults until we deal with them' or wait until they commit a crime or make a mistake until actually deal with them," said Sgt. William Drake with Roanoke City Police.
"I'm just nervous because I'm not really used to being around police officers," said Kany'e.
Something the Homework Helpers program and Sgt. Drake are trying to change.
"They're getting that positive feedback that we're looking for, to be able to say 'look we are approachable, we are human just like you are, we have a job to protect you and protect society. You can come to us for help'," said Sgt. Drake.
They help with homework, reading, tutoring or even advice.
"Mentoring is a really important way for adults to invest in the lives of children on a one on one level," said Jessica Skaggs with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Roanoke city has 250 sworn police officers and the department wants all of them to be a part of the homework helpers. They are trying to expand it so everyone gets a chance.
"I like the idea of building difference makers. I like the idea of being here and helping build those children into productive members of society and helping them learn things," said Sgt. Drake.
"I love to see that relationship blossoming for kids to understand how to build trust in a relationship and how to have a healthy relationship," said Skaggs.
A relationship Kany'e is warming up to.
"They can be pretty cool," he says about the officers.
"If they can just walk away with a smile on their face saying 'hey I had fun with the cop today' that's good for us," said Sgt. Drake.