RPD Soccer Camp - Barrier Breaking is the Goal
 From August 6th through August 13th, the Raleigh Police Department sponsored a boy's and girl's soccer camp at Kiwanis Park, located on Noble Road. Four officers from the Downtown District participated in the camps along with other officers from throughout the department. The officers from Downtown were Senior Officers Joe Bruno, Jamie Priest, Wendy Clark; and First Class Officer Josh Gulch. Other officers from the department included Sergeants Mario Campos and Rob Benjamin; Senior Officer Jason Canty; and Master Officers Gene Piscatelli and John Fox.
 According to Senior Officer Vince Espinoza, who was one of the organizers of the camp three years ago, this is the first year for a girl's camp and the third for a boy's camp. The police department partnered with Raleigh Parks, Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), and the Carolina Railhawks. CASL supplied much of the equipment and the kids visited the Railhawks one afternoon at WakeMed Soccer Park for a demonstration and autograph session.
This year a total of 46 kids participated in the camps. The goal, according to Espinoza, is to reach out to kids "all over the city...who wouldn't normally have the opportunity" to play soccer on a team. He added that, "It's been a success...breaking down barriers between the police and youth."
 For Officer Priest, these camps remind him of growing up in southern Texas. "I love to spend time in these camps, since I was once a participant in similar camps in my hometown. I know that positive role models provide valuable experiences to troubled youth," he said.
 Officer Bruno also described the value of being a role model. "At the end of the first day, you can see walls broken down and the relationships being formed," he said. Both Officers Bruno and Priest assisted with the camps last year as well.
 During one of the morning introduction sessions, Officer Clark encouraged the kids in the camp that "just because it's not your passion, don't give up on it. If you're not good at soccer that's okay. If you're playing it, put your heart into it. Work at it!" She later shared that we never know as officers when we are going to touch someone's life or give them hope.
 A camp like this helps in breaking down barriers and also fits nicely into a Raleigh Police Department officer's goal of serving and protecting.
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