Police, third graders bond over story time

Potter Elementary School third graders learned about police work from Dartmouth law enforcement on April 13.

Det. Kyle Costa and school resource officers Richard Pacheco and David Tavares each read a storybook to Potter’s three third grade classrooms, and fielded questions from curious students about their jobs and personal lives.

Costa read Madonna’s Mr. Peabody’s Apples, about a teacher subjected to harmful rumors, to Lorrie Murphy’s class. He explained the book’s message about always getting and verifying facts through a game of “telephone” before jumping into a questions and answers session with the kids.

Students learned about Costa's three cats, the equipment police officers carry including pepper spray and Tasers, the department’s police K9s, and exactly what he does in his job as a police detective.

“I put together puzzles. I get information in different ways and people put it all together so it makes sense,” Costa explained.

Officers began the classroom visits last year, after teacher Lorrie Murphy reached out with the idea. For Costa, it’s all about building a positive relationship with Dartmouth’s youngest residents.

“Overall, it develops a good bond between kids and the police,” Costa said.

The visit is one of several at Potter this year. The department recognizes students in Murphy's class through a "Captain of the Week" program as well.