The Commerce Police Department (CPD) has found a way to raise money and help residents keep track of their appointments: a CPD calendar.
Public Information Officer Alex Suarez and eleven other CPD officers volunteered to have their pictures taken by photographer Bobby George to compile the calendar, which is being published by Law Enforcement Publications.
“We are teaming up with Law Enforcement Publications in making this calendar,” Suarez said. “They pay for the advertising and production of the calendar, and we profit from it, receiving funds to use for community resources.”
According to Suarez, the officers plan to use some of the money for materials for drug education for children in the community.
“This will give us extra money to put back for crime prevention activities,” Chief of Police Kerry Crews said. “We don’t have the funds to do that ourselves.”
Crews also emphasized that the project is a viable way for community members to become better acquainted with the CPD and its officers.
“This is going to provide an opportunity for the public to meet the officers,” he said. “People will be able to see who the officers are, which will make them more real to the public. A lot of people don’t know the officers’ faces, so maybe this will help. We really want to show the public what the department is all about.”
Participation in the project was voluntary and received a wide range of response.
“We tried to get as many officers to participate as possible,” Suarez said. “For some, it was like pulling teeth, but others were eager to help.”
Suarez said his favorite part about the project has been seeing officers getting out of their comfort zones and involved with that community on a more civilian level.
“This calendar is meant to humanize the officers,” Suarez said. “The photos are serious, not comical.”
Suarez said he hopes this will change the image officers project, especially to children.
“I don’t like when parents tell their children that they better behave or a police officer is going to come get them. We would like to change that role when it comes to children.”
The officers are not yet sure how many calendars they will be give, but they will be available for distribution at the beginning of next year. For more information, contact the Commerce Police Department at 903-886-1106.