Temple University Police Officer Leroy Wimberly walked into the fourth grade class at Paul L Dunbar school last week with a big sheet cake and an even bigger smile.

“Who wants a big slice of cake?” he asked, as students erupted with excitement.

Officer Wimberly is a certified instructor in Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT), which aims to keep children on the right path. He has been teaching the program weekly to children in North Philadelphia since 2017. 

“This program helps instill in the youth that gangs are not the way to go and that you have to be a leader, not a follower,” said Wimberly. “I want them to understand that when they stand on their own two feet and believe in themselves, there are many things that they can accomplish.” 

The program teaches students the skills needed to treat others with respect and empathy, said Kevin Wimberly, Dunbar’s climate manager who is not related to Officer Wimberly.

“The impact of the GREAT program is amazing. It builds a connection among Temple Police, our neighboring students and their parents,” Wimberly said. “The program also teaches many social aspects to students and instills positivity and why they should embrace their family, their school and other positive forces in their lives.”

One by one, Officer Wimberly called up about two dozen fourth grade students to hand them their certificates of completion. 

Alalya Shammakh, one of the students, said she was proud to finish the program and added that Officer Wimberly is someone who she looks up to.

“I like that he’s funny. I also like that this program teaches us how to be a leader and not a follower. It teaches us a lot of lessons,” she said. “It’s important that you don’t go down the wrong path.”

“What motivates me is empowering our youth, to see the change and growth in them, and to help them understand that they do have a choice in life. It is important for me to get them to see that they have a voice, and it matters,” he said. 

“Educating young students who are our neighbors and go to school right in our backyard is important for Temple Police because we want to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community that we serve. We want them to view Temple Police as a resource and source of safety,” said Deputy Police Chief Mike Smith. 

Officer Wimberly said he’s proud of the group of students and is already looking forward to teaching the program to next year’s class. 

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