Cops and Teenagers is a structured educational program designed to illustrate to teenagers the importance of analyzing potential decisions using an interactive approach from a police perspective. This novel program was created and developed by Senior Investigators Darnley O. Scoon, and Investigator Kenneth W. Taylor of the New York State Police. Together their complimentary personalities allow them to portray and convey a meaningful presentation that teenagers, students, teachers, parents and the community can relate to.
Investigators Scoon and Taylor have over 49 years of experience in Law Enforcement and have recognized the dangers and pitfalls teenagers routinely face in their daily lives and the consequences they will face as adults based on uninformed decisions. Armed with this knowledge these Investigators have packaged this information and developed the Cops and Teenagers program to mitigate some of the lurking dangers in a preventative stance by providing teenagers with the information and knowledge needed to allow them to make daily decisions based on information. These Investigators are truly INFORMATIONAL speakers.
Since the program began in 2000 “Cops and Teenagers” has been presented to numerous audiences including but not limited to high schools, churches, and community centers. Their interactive approach utilizing realistic police scenarios based on their own experience allows a unique and different circumstance during every presentation and has been well received by every audience. They cover the job interview, gang membership, prison, teenage pregnancy and a host of other topics all with a humorous and serious delivery of the message.
As a result of their hard work Investigators Scoon and Taylor AKA the SainT’s, have received the African American Leaders of Excellence in State Service Award which was presented to them by the Honorable Governor, George Pataki in February of 2005. They have also received the New Bridges in Law Enforcement Community Service Award in April of 2005. Their program has been a positive experience for all involved and bridges the gap between authority and our teenage citizens.
