Brooklyn Park Cops Join Teens for Basketball and Bonding

Local youth joined Brooklyn Park police for an annual tradition to show who’s got game.

“They’ve been talking about it all month, about this event,” said Kelvin Currington, youth intervention specialist who organized the Cops and Teens Basketball Tournament.

Currington said the event held Monday night at Zanewood Recreation Center was more than about basketball.

“We know there’s been a lot of negative interactions with cops and teens, but this is just to break those barriers,” Currington said.

The event used to be kids versus cops. But now the teams are mixed for good reasons.

“I think it’s made a huge difference for them to be on the same team with officers to engage,” Currington said.

Opening Tipoff of the Brooklyn Park Cops and Teens Basketball Tournament

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said there’s another reason too.

“These kids are good to be honest with you,” smiled Bruley. “These kids are fast, they can shoot. We got some cops that can do it. But to be honest with you, it’s more important than who wins or loses, for us as cops we’re just happy to be out here connecting with kids and have a good relationship.”

About 40 youth ages 12 to 16 and more than a dozen officers participated in the basketball event.

Brooklyn Park