HOOKENA — Before the kids were handcuffed, there were some important things to go over.
HOOKENA — Before the kids were handcuffed, there were some important things to go over.
Like what it takes to wear a badge.
To be a police officer, Hawaii Police Sgt. Roylen Valera listed off a variety of requirements to a classroom full of students at Hookena Elementary on Thursday. One that he emphasized was the importance of having good moral character.
“The good choices have to start now because it impacts what opportunities are available to you as an adult,” Valera told the students.
Valera’s presentation was part of a career day at the school. As he and Konawaena Middle School Resource Officer Mike Aran spoke, they told the kids about the other requirements necessary to become a police officer.
Those requirements were they must be at least 21 years old; they must have a high school diploma or GED; must be in good health; must be able to read and write and do basic math; must be a citizen of the United States and must be a resident of Hawaii.
Valera also allowed the students to try on a riot gear helmet and hold a shield and wooden baton.
The sergeant also described everything on an officer’s uniform. The kids were excited about the handcuffs. Valera took turns handcuffing the kids, much to their amusement.
The students also liked the retractable baton that is carried on an officer’s belt.
Fourth-grader Kiani Enos, 10, thought the presentation was fun. Her favorite part was getting handcuffed.
While Kiani was interested in a few other careers, she said, she thought being a police officer would be a fun job.
“I like that I could stop people from doing wrong things,” she said.
Fifth-grader Iokepa Johnson, 10, raised his hand when Valera asked the class if there were any in the room who wanted to be a police officer someday.
“I’d want to help make the world a better place,” Iokepa said. “If my grades keep going high, I think I’ll be a cop someday.”
Valera said anytime the department is asked to participate in a career day, they do.
In recent times, Valera said, law enforcement has gotten a bad reputation fueled by the media and entertainment that depict officers as crooked cops kicking in people’s doors.
However, he added, there’s a high demand of service and everyone calls the police department for their problems.
“We come to these events not to sway their opinion, but to give them the facts — that we’re regular people, too,” Valera said. “We’re more than what the movies, video games and current events portray.”
Twenty other organizations participated in Hookena Elementary’s career day. Angela Kang, parent council network coordinator, said with the school being rural it’s difficult to expose the children to some of the various professions.
“Career day is important because it allows them to dream more and want to learn more,” Kang said of the children.