Police Mentoring of At-Risk Youth: Case Study of Police-Led Mentoring Program Leadership Development

Abstract

Police-led organizations provide officers with the ability to mentor youth in a nurturing environment that empowers them to succeed academically, behaviorally, and socially. This article focuses on how police officers mentor youths in a major urban area in the southeast. A case study was presented of a police-led organization, which included in-depth interviews with program leaders and mentors, participant observations, and a review of secondary sources over 2 years. The main findings from the study are as follows: (1) program leaders emphasize that caring mentors need to be empathetic toward youth exposed to gun violence, (2) officers’ previous experiences matter for their motivation to become mentors, and (3) officers stimulate students by taking them out of their usual social environments. This research expands the theoretical understanding of how police-led organizations influence the lives of youth exposed to gun violence. The characteristics of police officers who serve as mentors are crucial and can impact program outcomes. Practical implications for program leaders are discussed.