Community Outreach Spotlight

Positive Policing Program

Submitted by Commander Isaac Merkl of the Kennewick, Washington, Police Department.

An image of the Positive Policing flyer and gift card given to Kennewick residents.

Officers in the Kennewick, Washington, Police Department (KPD) feel fortunate to serve such a supportive community. While some in U.S. law enforcement have experienced challenges in recent years, KPD officers have felt tremendous support, with citizens dropping off snacks and thank you notes at the station regularly.

However, despite an amazing community, the risks, negativity, and stress of policing can give officers a less-than-positive perspective. Law enforcement’s role always carries immense responsibility and often a significant emotional toll. Police officers frequently find themselves in inherently negative situations — for instance, responding to serious accidents, life-altering assaults, or the continued victimization of youth. This constant exposure to challenging and high-stress scenarios can impact both officers and the community they serve.

To help reshape officers’ view of what occurs regularly in the community and reward those in the public who work with the KPD to make it safer, the department implemented the Positive Policing Program (PPP). Launched officially on August 13, 2024, but operating informally for a brief period prior, the PPP encourages officers to focus on the good happening within the community.

Made possible by the citizen-led Kennewick Police Foundation and HAPO Community Credit Union, the program equips KPD officers with $100 gift cards. These gift cards are reserved for officers to reward members of the community who make a positive difference. Whether for a random act of kindness, project aimed at making the neighborhood safer, or just a person focused on helping others, KPD officers now have the means to recognize and reward individuals on the spot.

The KPD and HAPO had worked together before on a similar program around the holidays. Officers would team up with credit union employees and provide gift cards instead of tickets after initiating traffic stops. That program was intended to brighten the day for people in the community and bring about a good outcome in situations they may have thought would result in lost money. The PPP is a natural transition to, hopefully, a permanent program that enhances community safety and positive officer engagement.

Already, the PPP has made a tangible impact. One of the first recipients was a citizen who, upon witnessing a vehicle crash, immediately sprang into action and provided crucial medical care. In another instance, two workers noticed someone struggling to change a tire on a vehicle disabled in the street. Without hesitation, they stepped in and assisted, turning what had been a bad day for the young driver into a moment of relief and gratitude.

This partnership between the KPD and the community is key to building safe, thriving neighborhoods and business districts. When citizens see that their positive actions are not only noticed but also rewarded, it encourages a culture of benevolence and cooperation. The ripple effect of the PPP could be substantial — each recognized act of kindness can inspire others to act similarly, creating a cycle of goodwill that strengthens the fabric of the community. And, by seeking out positive actions and rewarding them, officers are not only building stronger bonds with the community but also experiencing the uplift that comes from acknowledging good deeds.

At the heart of this initiative is the KPD’s mission of providing professional police services with integrity, courage, and commitment. The department understands that safety is not just the absence of crime but also the presence of a strong, positive community. The PPP aims to foster this environment by recognizing and encouraging the everyday heroes who help make Kennewick a better place.

In a world where negativity often dominates the headlines, this program is meant to flip the script, showing officers and the community that small acts of kindness do indeed make a big impact. Officers are grateful to have such a supportive community, and it is time they had the means to say thank you back to those they serve.

The Kennewick Police Department’s philosophy, encapsulated in its slogan, “Committed to your safety,” extends beyond traditional law enforcement. The agency acknowledges that safety is a multifaceted concept and that the community’s contributions are just as crucial as the work of the officers.

“This partnership between the KPD and the community is key to building safe, thriving neighborhoods and business districts.”

Commander Merkl can be reached at Isaac.Merkl@ci.kennewick.wa.us.