Police and youth in the Recklinghausen/Bottrop district engage in joint training sessions under the banner "Sport connects," a program that fosters bonding between law enforcement and young people through sports.
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Recklinghausen police department is pioneering a unique initiative aimed at fostering a closer connection between young people and the police force. Dubbed 'Sport Connects', this project has been met with widespread praise since its inception.
The initiative, which will be showcased to media representatives on September 16, 2025, at Martin Luther Europa School in Herten, is themed around the idea that shared sports create closeness and trust. This sentiment was echoed by Police President Friederike Zurhausen, who emphasised that the project demonstrates the police as an active part of society.
The main activity of the event is a sporty, interactive scenario where young people work alongside officers to solve a fictional crime case. This collaborative approach is designed to strengthen young people's trust in the police and promote a safe learning environment that conveys values such as tolerance, respect, and empathy.
The project has received positive responses from both participating students and police officers, with the latter reporting authentic conversations and noticeable appreciation. Teachers view the format as a modern form of police work with a preventive side effect, specifically targeting students of secondary schools and taking a multidimensional preventive approach.
The goal of Sport Connects is to establish sustainable prevention structures in schools, promote social integration, and defuse violence and conflict potential at an early stage. The measure will be continuously evaluated and further developed in cooperation with teachers and school social workers.
The success of the pilot programme, which took place in 2024 at a school in Recklinghausen, has led to plans for the format to be permanently established in the local police department's crime prevention measures. The police in Recklinghausen are also planning to continue and expand the Sport Connects format in the future.
Encounters in the project take place on an equal footing, free from prejudices or hierarchies. The event consists of a series of sports-based activities to foster mutual understanding and promote dialogue. The project generates interest in the police profession, benefiting public sector recruitment.
Media representatives are invited to cover the Sport Connects event on September 16, 2025, at Martin Luther Europa School in Herten. Registration for the press event is required by September 12, 2025. Join us as we witness the Recklinghausen police department's innovative approach to youth engagement and community policing.
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