CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A group of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers in the Eastway division are wrapping up their first year mentoring young men.
This week the first set of mentees will graduate from local high schools.
Students told Eyewitness News the program changed their lives and their relationships with police.
Garinger High School senior Centese McKinney said his brothers taught him the dangers of making bad decisions.
"In and out of prison in and out of jail, not having the opportunities," McKinney said.
One of the officers who arrested his brothers, Wes Propst, took McKinney under his wing and invited him to join the Captain's Youth Advisory Council.
Eastway division officers selected students from Harding, Myers Park, West Charlotte and Garinger.
"They asked us to pick some kids we knew we could hopefully influence," Propst said.
Over the last year, they've visited their homes and taken them on field trips to learn about jobs.
"Never would have experienced it without them," high school senior Joshua Williams said.
Williams was there as they hosted the first student summer achievement awards June 10 at First Ward Park.
He said the program has given him access to more opportunities than he's ever had before.
"Moving forward, it'll be good for me," Williams said.
Students said the program also showed them, they can be friends with police.
"The perception is, especially for African-American males, not to like the police," McKinney said. "But it has changed not only my outlook but my family's outlook as well."
The feelings of support are mutual.
"They reached out to us during the riots just wanted to check on all the officers," Officer Paul Benloss said.
"It feels good to feel we may have had some small influence along the way," Propst said.
Such a positive influence, McKinney plans to create a similar program in Raleigh where he'll attend college in the fall.
"It really changed my outlook on life, it made me realize I could do more," McKinney said.
Officers mentored eight students in total.
They went on trips to learn about jobs and opportunities within NASCAR and Bank of America.
They plan to continue the program next year.
Cox Media Group
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