Duluth Police Officers Go On 'Slam Dunk Patrol'

DULUTH - Duluth police officers are swapped their uniforms Wednesday for basketball shoes for the first-ever Slam Dunk Patrol event at Duluth’s Myers-Wilkins Elementary School.Kids got the chance to shoot hoops with officers. The goal is for police to connect with kids to make them seem less intimidating."A lot of these kids have only had contact with us in a negative manor whether it's with mom or dad or them; we want to change that,” explained community officer Tom Sewell. “We want to show them that we're there for them, we're there to have fun, and they can come to us.” Duluth officers say events like Slam Dunk Patrol are rewarding and one of the best parts of the job. The program is funded by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Mondays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., police will play with 4th and 5th graders.  And on Wednesdays, 1st and 3rd graders get a chance from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.Slam Dunk Patrol is free and runs through Nov. 5. To RSVP, call Rachel Thapa with Myers-Wilkins at 218-336-8860 or email at Rachel.thapa@gmail.com All others can RSVP with Officer Sewell at 218-730-5532 or tsewell@duluthmn.gov