8th graders get to be 'Chief for the Day' in Elgin
The Elgin Police Department had four special guests Tuesday afternoon: Chief Allyson Bello, Chief Oliva Cahill, Chief Kelly Amaro and Chief Toby Acosta.
They are all eighth graders who got an up-close, hands-on look at the police station, with special treatment from officers, after winning their respective schools' anti-bullying poster contest. Each student wore a blue polo shirt with their name on the front and "CHIEF" in capital letters on the back during the "Chief for the Day" event.
"It was very cool," said Toby, 14, who goes to Kimball Middle School. "I never, ever got an experience behind the scenes of a police station."
Olivia, 13, who goes to Abbott Middle School and always wanted to be an artist, said she enjoyed it so much, she might want to become a police officer.
The students got to sit and chat with Police Chief Ana Lalley in her office. Lalley explained she took the role because she enjoys helping the community, and encouraged her fellow "chiefs" to not be shy and ask questions ... but please refrain from giving officers a raise.
The students took part in roll call, where they saw officers get a reminder about how to package powder evidence and information about which neighborhoods would get extra surveillance that day.
Next, the students met police dog Bauer and his handler, officer Justin Brown, who told them about Bauer's training and skills. Brown gave the students a demonstration of how much Bauer likes his chew toy - not surprisingly, a lot - and how well the dog can detect something with drug scent - on this particular day, not so well.
Finally, the students met members of the SWAT team, who let them maneuver a small police robot and sit inside an armored vehicle.
"It was really amazing," said Allyson, 13, a student at Ellis Middle School. "I've been inspired by this."
The students came with family members who said they, too, enjoyed the experience. "They (the officers) were so nice and polite. And some of them are so young," said Allyson's mom, Dina Garcia.
Kelly, 13, goes to Larsen Middle School. Her older sister Kattia Ramirez said Kelly tends to be shy, so it was nice to see the officers encourage her to come out of her shell. "I think this type of event helps her to be more open," Ramirez said.
As for the reason they were all there - their anti-bullying posters - the students said that bullying is wrong, period.
Toby said he's been bullied in the past. "I would always ask myself, 'What did I ever do to them?'" he said.
Even spreading rumors and talking behind others' backs can be very hurtful, Allyson said. "If you see something, say something about it," she said.