In March of 2015, the Dunkirk Police Department, in collaboration with the elementary schools in the city, began “DPD Reader Day.” Reader Day is when Dunkirk Police Officers read to students to help the students become more comfortable with interacting with police officers.

Throughout the year, several Police Officers visit the Elementary Schools and read books to the children and also spend time explaining the job of a police officer and answering any other questions the children might have. K-9 Officer Brian Dietzen with K-9 Gunny also visited the school. Officer Dietzen answered many questions for the students about being a K-9 officer.

When the program first began, Chief David Ortolano said, “The program helps to build a positive relationship with the children and lets them be familiar with police officers in a positive setting. The program will help to make children more comfortable with police officers and hopefully build positive relationships in the future as well.”

As always, we thank the schools for making time for the police department to participate in the program.