Leadership class project puts local police officers on trading cards
“I’ve got a Sheriff Nicholson and two Chief Laceys, but I need a Chief Callahan. Wanna trade?”
Local kids might soon have a conversation like this about a line of locally-made police officer trading cards.
In the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Gilmer class, participants team up to design and implement community service projects.
One of those leadership teams is spotlighting county and city law enforcement officers with the set of “Super Squad” trading cards.
“The trading cards feature law enforcement officers in a kid-friendly format that should foster both communication and trust between local police and children,” said Julie Johnson, one of the leadership team’s members.
On the front of the cards is a photo of a local police officer, along with their department details. On the back is a short bio and a safety tip or personal quote.
Each officer with the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office and Ellijay and East Ellijay Police Departments will have their own card, confirmed leadership team member Rebecca Harrell. The full set will include at least 45 different cards.
“We want them to have interaction with the kids, so each officer will have 100 cards (to give out),” Harrell said. Gilmer Sheriff’s Office K-9s will also have their own cards, she added.
The idea to produce a set of police-themed trading cards was inspired by similar programs across the country aimed at strengthening trust between citizens and those sworn to protect them, Johnson noted.
“Every card that’s handed out gives the officer an opportunity to interact with kids in the community and break down perceived barriers,” she added.
The county sheriff and city police chiefs all spoke well of the program, which, according to Ellijay Police Chief Edward Lacey, helps to humanize the badge.
“Anything we can do to (accomplish that), the better,” Lacey said.
Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said the cards will give police officers an “opportunity to be heroes in the eyes of our children.”
East Ellijay Chief Larry Callahan said he was thrilled when the leadership group approached him with the concept.
“It’s really hard to connect with kids,” said Callahan, adding that the trading cards will provide opportunities for officers to establish a rapport with younger citizens.
Harrell said the trading cards are in the proofing and printing stages right now, and the group expects to have the entire set ready to distribute sometime this fall.
And how, exactly, will that be done?
Harrell said kids can simply ask police officers for the cards, but there are some parameters of which team members want the young card collectors to be aware.
“We’ve got some information to share with kids about when they can talk to the officers (about the cards), like not when they’re at a traffic stop or something like that,” she added.
Group members hope to visit local schools to explain the trading card program after the cards are officially rolled out, Harrell said.