Officer helps protect children, community
Published: February 10, 2006
When students at Grandview Elementary School see Sgt. Jimmie Poynter in uniform walking the halls, they don’t assume something’s wrong.
“He’s a very positive role model,” said Candice Simpkins, principal of Grandview Elementary School. “He’s visible at the school. He’s been involved with a number of programs.”
The programs include the Eddie the Eagle Gun Safety Program, Halloween Safety Class, the Officer Phil Program and others. They promote safety and teach children the dangers of alcohol, drugs, guns and other weapons.
“He influences them and encourages them to make the right choices,” Simpkins said. “He’s been here when some (students) haven’t made the right choice and he explains the consequences,” she said.
Poynter was awarded the Chief Charles T. Donaldson Leadership and Community Service Award from the Northern Kentucky Police Chief’s Association at an awards luncheon Saturday, Jan. 28.
“I want to break down those stereotypes of cops they see on TV and in the movies,” Poynter said. “It’s hard for them to believe a police officer has a life of their own. I make it a habit to show a picture of my wife and children so they can relate. Seeing (a cop) out of uniform helps that.”
Poynter also works with the Buenger Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Safety Fair and Bike Rodeo, Shop with a Cop, Newport Junior Olympics and Northern Kentucky Area 7 Winter Olympics.
He said his family instilled in him the value of helping out the community. Poynter said his mother volunteered as a Cub Scout leader before she died. His father and stepmother both encouraged him to volunteer in the community.
The award was available to all police departments in eight Northern Kentucky counties. He was nominated by Bellevue Police Chief William Cole.
“He’s been nominated three times for essentially the same type of award,” Cole said.
In Cole’s nomination letter he stated “this nomination is made, not as the result of a single act, but rather as the result of a very involved and long standing course of conduct.”
“It feels great,” Poynter said of receiving the award. “It’s nice to be recognized for doing the things that I like to do anyway. It’s a huge honor.”
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