MILLCREEK POLICE DEPARTMENT INSIDE ERIE PAL AT TRACY ELEMENTARY What happens when you pair police officers with students— not in times of crisis, but in moments of connection? In Millcreek Township, the answer is transformation. Through the Erie Police Athletic / Activities League( PAL), a growing number of officers are stepping into schools not just as law enforcement— but as mentors, teammates, and role models. At Tracy Elementary, the impact is visible. Millcreek Township has officially joined the PAL movement, with officers from the MPD.
Whether it’ s during a game of kickball, an after-school workshop, or a field trip, these officers are building something far greater than trust— they’ re building relationships.
The PAL program, reinstated in 2016 after a 40-year hiatus, and Lt. Tom Lenox leading the charge has grown the program from one school and 35 students to over 1,700 students in 27 schools and community centers. And now, Millcreek is proudly on that map! illcreek
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“ Although still in its infancy, the PAL program in Millcreek has had tremendous impacts on both our officers and the youth we ' re serving so far. It has allowed our officers to interact with the children in our community in a different way, outside of our normal work duties. It ' s creating meaningful and lasting relationships that we hope will continue long into the future as the program develops, grows and moves into more schools.”
-Cpl. Kyle Caldwell
Every handshake, shared laugh, and team huddle is a step closer to reshaping how our youth see law enforcement— and how law enforcement sees our youth. In Millcreek, it’ s more than a program. It’ s a promise.