Don’t be alarmed if you heard police sirens at the Early Childhood Campus this morning. There was no emergency, just students exploring the inside of a real-life police car!

Kevin Fitzpatrick, an officer with the Tampa Police Department - and more importantly, dad to a PK3 student! – visited the PK3 classrooms to share with them what his everyday job entails. Officer Kevin first read a book about police officers to the children, then pulled out a bag filled with real police equipment. The children had fun taking turns wearing his hat and passing around his badge.

However, the highlight of the morning was waiting for them outside, as Officer Kevin had brought along his TPD truck for the students to explore. He let each child spend time in the car, turning on the lights, sounding the alarm, and speaking into the microphone.  Rumor has it that Officer Kevin sings some great “Frozen” songs on the CB . . .

The morning ended with – what else? – donuts for the teachers and donut holes for the students.  And each child earned their very own badge.  In the words of Baron, a PK3 student, “This was the best day.  I love police officers!”