Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida today announced that Pensacola Police Officer David Partrick and his wife Jennifer have been named the 2020 Bigs with Badges’ “Big of the Year.”
The couple was surprised at the station by Pensacola Police Department leadership, BBBSNWFL staff and their Little Brother’s family.
David and Jennifer’s match with Kamari is what is called a ‘Big Duo’, where two people mentor together and split the responsibility of being matched with a Little, according to BBBSNWFL.
Little Brother Kamari got matched with David and Jennifer in the summer of 2015 and staff describe it was a “perfect fit” for not only David and Jennifer but also their son Cameron. Cameron even attended the initial match meeting with his parents when they all met each other.
BBBSNWFL staff say the Partrick family has become “extremely close” with Kamari’s family and that the families have attended church and police cookouts together.
“This is exactly what we need as law enforcement. Community policing and being involved in the community is what Chief Lyter really pushes.” Partrick stated. “It is what we should do to bring our law enforcement and community together.”
Partrick has been a constant advocate of our Bigs with Badges program and is always quick to assist in the recruitment of other police officers, per BBBSNWFL staff.
The Bigs with Badges program. supported by Wind Creek Hospitality, is a unique, one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth and those with badges in communities throughout Northwest Florida, building strong, trusting, lasting relationships. These Bigs include those who are police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and EMT members. The program is aimed at bridging the gap between youth and law enforcement and the goal is to build trust and respect within these relationships.
BBBWNWFL believes that now, more than ever, these relationships are critical in the local community.
To learn more about the Bigs with Badges program and how to become a Defender of Potential visit http://bbbwnwfl.org
