High Schooler In Program No Longer Afraid of Police Officers

Aaliyah Tzul

Fourteen-year-old Aaliyah Tzul is among the twelve participants.  As a second form student at E.P. York High School, she has been paired with Inspector Martha Rhys of the Domestic Violence Unit.  The idea of the partnership includes counseling for the students, as well as financial assistance.

Aaliyah Tzul, Student, EP York High School

“I feel good because my mom told me that, I don’t know how to say it exactly but then she said that you are not supposed to be afraid of them, you are supposed to go with them.  So I said okay and I decided that I wanted to do this.”

Isani Cayetano

“Will this experience in any way, since you mentioned not being scared of the officers, will this experience in any way change the way you look at policing and the work that these men and women do?”

Aaliyah Tzul

“Yes because before this I didn’t really know because other people like the gangs where I grew up, they would say that police are bad people right.  So then when I came to this then I noticed that they are not really bad persons because like her right here, my spirit takes her, I really like her.  So I decided to come and do it.”

Isani Cayetano

“Vice versa for you?”

Martha Rhys

Insp. Martha Rhys, O.C., Domestic Violence Unit

“Yes.  For me, I mean anything for a young girl, especially someone of this age, you understand.  Between the ages twelve and sixteen they really need assistance for somebody to be in their lives to help mould them in a positive way.  So it was nice meeting Ms. Aaliyah and we sparked a friendship so we intend to continue this.”