Washington, D.C. – Over the past week, the Sixth District Police Department’s Community Outreach unit hosted its second annual Police Athletic League basketball camp at the Boys & Girls Club on Benning Road. The four‑day camp brought together more than a dozen local youth, most of them residents of the District and a few from neighboring Maryland, for instruction in basic basketball skills and team‑building activities.
Police officers serve as coaches
Sergeant Taariq Cephas, who leads the district’s community‑outreach program, served as the camp’s lead instructor. Cephas, a former college basketball player at Coppin State University (2011‑2015) and current women’s basketball coach and volunteer at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, guided the children through drills on dribbling, passing, shooting and sharing the ball.
“When I first came to this camp, I was a little bit nervous, but the officers taught me how to shoot and dribble,” said 11‑year‑old participant Ronelle Thomas Lewis. The campers reported increased confidence as the days progressed, a sentiment echoed by Cephas, who noted, “We’ve seen the kids get better over the days. We’ve seen kids’ confidence grow.”
Building trust between police and community
Beyond teaching basketball fundamentals, the camp’s long‑term goal is to strengthen the relationship between law‑enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. Cephas explained, “It bridges the gap between the community and the police. It lets the youth know that we’re here to help. We’re here to serve them.” The initiative reflects the department’s broader effort to engage young people in positive, constructive activities that foster mutual respect.
The camp’s curriculum emphasized core values such as teamwork, discipline and respect for one another. Officers demonstrated how to work together on the court, reinforcing the idea that cooperation extends beyond sports and into everyday community interactions.
Community response
Parents and local leaders praised the program for providing a safe, structured environment where children can develop both athletic abilities and a sense of civic partnership. The Boys & Girls Club, a long‑standing nonprofit serving youth in the area, welcomed the collaboration, noting that the partnership aligns with its mission to offer enriching after‑school programs.
While the camp concluded on Thursday, organizers indicated plans to expand the program next year, potentially adding more sports and outreach activities to reach a broader segment of the district’s youth.
Looking ahead
Sergeant Cephas and the Sixth District Police Department view the basketball camp as a model for future community‑policing initiatives. By combining mentorship, skill development, and open dialogue, the department hopes to nurture a generation of young residents who feel connected to, and supported by, their local law‑enforcement partners.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
