Dueling Dragons: Program works to build trust between children and law enforcement officers

ORLANDO, Fla. — Local teenagers are hitting the water with the help of Orlando police officers.

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It’s part of the Dueling Dragons of Orlando program, which works to build trust between children and law enforcement officers.

For more than a decade, Dueling Dragons of Orlando has paired at-risk youth with police officers.

“It’s really cool to, like, get to know them and get to hang out with them because usually like you see them in uniform on the streets,” said Makayla Bennett, a Dueling Dragons member.

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The program teaches children life lessons of leadership and teamwork.

It’s fun and fulfilling for Officer Chris Chaplin with the Orlando Police Department.

“I come back because I love it,” he said.

It’s Chaplin’s eleventh year competing as part of the cops and kids boat team.

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“We’ve had great kids come through. I’ve watched some of those kids go from one of the new kids we had today to when they’re graduating, and I still get texts from them while they’re off in college checking in,” Chaplin said.

The program was recently awarded $20,000 in law enforcement trust funds from the city of Orlando to help continue the mission, so teens can form long-term mentoring relationships with officers at a critical time in their lives.

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“Some people are afraid of them so you can come out and see that you shouldn’t really be afraid of them,” said Tyrone Williams, a Dueling Dragons member.

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