On Saturday August 27th, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff and Seattle Police Community Outreach officers conducted a Donut Dialogue/Role Reversal Workshop at the Southwest Teen Life Center. Instead of the traditional sit down format, the officers and youth played two games of dodgeball to launch the festitivites (the youth beat the officers, fair and square, two games out of three). Following the game, officers spent time with the youth engaging them in discussion over pizza.
The purpose of these workshops is for officers and youth to have an open and honest discussion about pre-conceived notions, an opportunity to explain laws and police work and to build relationships based on mutual trust and understanding.