MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Martinsburg Police Department took on the alumni of the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle in their traditional basketball game Friday night at Martinsburg High School.
The Police Department was looking to avenge last year’s defeat but they were unable to, losing by only two points to the club members.
Police Chief Maury Richards played in the game and he hopes that the tradition of the contest continues.
“It’s been a tradition before I became chief and it’s something we want to keep going,” said Richards. “Hopefully we’ll do it more than once a year it’s so much fun.”
Stacie Rohn is the Chief Professional Officer with the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle and she tells WEPM News that Chief Richards has been key in forging a tight relationship between the department and the kids in the club.
“Chief Richards made a promise to the kids that they would see an officer each week and he’s been honorable to that pledge,” said Rohn. “The kids have really started to form relationship with officers that they haven’t had before.”
Mentor and Coach with the Boys & Girls club, Brandon March, says that the visibility that the police officers have with the club really helps the kids form relationships and events like this one helps as well.
“It’s great to put themselves out in the community because it helps them build that trust especially with the kids,” March said.
The Police Department lost last year’s game by nine points and Rohn commented on the improvement from a year ago.
She said, “I think it was a pretty tight game this year. The chief and his guys have been practicing.”
The price for admission was by donation.