Programs

Officer Safety and Wellness

Support for officer safety and wellness is vital to the field and community, as well as the wellbeing of their colleagues, agencies, and families.

The Foundation provides resources that support the safety, health, and wellness of every officer, and use these resources when developing comprehensive officer safety and wellness strategies. Make a donation here »

Police Athletic League (PAL)

To provide mentorship and leadership training to the underserved youths of the City of Richmond through sports programs led by Richmond police officers.
www.richmondpal.com/
The PAL program, in partnership with the Richmond Police Department and Foundation has a goal to provide mentorship and leadership training to the underserved youths of the City of Richmond through participation in sports programs led by Richmond police officers. The PAL Chief’s Challenge is a golf fundraiser held every year in which 100% of the proceeds go to benefit the PAL programs such as Lacrosse, NFL Flag Football, Biddy Ball, Boxing, Soccer, Spring Break Camp and PAL Summer Camp. Each year through these essential programs, the PAL officers are able to provide services to over 1,000 children a year.

Law Enforcement Intervention Focused on Education (LIFE)

LIFE offers alternatives to students who commit minor legal offenses.

LIFE (Law Enforcement Intervention Focused on Education) is a nine-week program led by police officers that offers an alternative to the juvenile justice system for students who commit minor legal offenses. Through 90-minute classes that cover topics including conflict resolution, drug and alcohol awareness and gangs, LIFE aims to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline, avoid criminal arrests for minor misbehavior and increase opportunities for student success. The VCU Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program has led a community initiative called Emerging Leaders program that partners with LIFE to reduce the number of Richmond youth engaged in violence and provide opportunities for young people.

Emerging Leaders recruits participants through the pediatric emergency room and adolescent clinic at VCU Medical Center, as well as through word-of-mouth referrals. It provides continuing case management services, hosts bi-weekly group meetings and provides mentoring and internships at VCU Medical Center. Meeting topics include coping skills and financial literacy. The internships, coordinated through the Mayor’s Youth Academy, provide a small stipend for participants. About 40 young people have been involved with Emerging Leaders so far, and the program follows participants through completion of high school.

Homicide Support Group

To support families of homicide victims in their time of greatest need.

The group consists of volunteers within the Richmond Police Department and the community who meet monthly with families of homicide victims to talk out issues and help with the grieving process. The group also has luncheons and picnics where other professionals are invited to come in and talk with the families.

RVA League for Safer Streets

To develop strong character traits among youth and young adults.

RVA League for Safer Streets serves to develop strong character traits among youth and young adults. Jawad Abdu and Paul Taylor created this program while in custody at Greensville Correctional Center and came to Chief Durham for support. Utilizing a unique and comprehensive program of organized athletic activities, educational and employment workshops, and ancillary services; participants learn community responsibility and redirect energies toward positive personal and social goals. Realization of these goals leads to increased graduation rates, decreased crime rates, self-sufficiency, and strong communities. While the leagues are in season we have seen dramatic decrease in violent crimes. RPD is able to use the circumstances and relationships developed during the seasons as a means to engage the community and to provide services to participants and their families in need of resources.

The games are for youths between ages 17 and 24. Before games participants take part in workshops featuring speakers discussing topics ranging from budgeting to job searches. Currently many residents come to view the games from various Richmond Public Housing communities. The games offer RPD an opportunity to engage community stakeholders in a neutral and warm environment that does not resemble a traditional police encounter. RPD and the RVA League utilizes external partners such as Office of Community Wealth Building, faith-based organizations, corporations, retired police officers, current law enforcement, Parks, Recreation and Facilities, foundations, Richmond volunteers and mentors. RPD is able to use the circumstances and relationships developed during the seasons as a means to engage the community and to provide services to participants and their families in need of resources.

Nancy White Thomas Richmond Police Fund

To support new police recruits.

The Nancy White Thomas Richmond Police Fund is designated for assistance to Richmond Police recruits upon graduation. Funds are utilized to purchase area road maps for each graduate of the recruit class. Additionally, funds are used to purchase awards for recruits. The Nancy White Thomas Award is in honor of Ms. Nancy White Thomas for her inspiration and contributions to recruit training for over 42 years. This award recognizes the recruit who has demonstrated the most outstanding overall performance throughout recruit training.

Badges for Baseball

To foster cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect between law enforcement personnel and disadvantaged youth.

The Badges for Baseball program is a community crime prevention initiative, using baseball and softball to prevent crime and disorder by encouraging healthy out-of-school activities that improve relationships between law enforcement personnel and disadvantaged youth through cooperation, collaboration, and mutual respect. In addition, Badges for Baseball includes a new, innovative program designed to teach life skills. The Richmond Police Foundation partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs will introduce its “Healthy Choices, Healthy Children” character education program for youth. Using baseball and softball as the vehicle to attract the attention of young people, law enforcement volunteers and Boys & Girls Clubs staff will deliver 12 vital life lessons to the student participants in a fun, engaging way.

Community Engagement

Community events hosted with Faith Leaders.

The Richmond Police Department hosts community events in public housing with Faith Leaders. These events will take place in the areas of Gilpin, Whitcomb, Creighton, Fairfield, Hillside and Mosby Courts. These locations were chosen specifically by Chief Durham due to need for positive social engagement between the youth, residents, and police. Activities include community revitalizations, community gardens, back to school supplies, and opportunities to connect with resources, while having a good time around music, fellowship, and food. The Community Day events were created to build hope in communities where there is little to none. The Richmond Police Department and its partners bring hope and opportunity to these communities by bringing in vital resources and positive activities to engage the youth.

Richmond Police Memorial Fund

In honor of fallen officers

The Richmond Police Memorial Statue is located in Byrd Park and is in memory of those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty for their community and who left a noble legacy of heroic dedication to the next generation of Richmond.