Introducing Walsh, the new mascot of the Santa Clara Police Department’s BRAVE program!
Walsh is named in honor of Sean Walsh, a dedicated SCPD Police Explorer who tragically lost his life while serving in Afghanistan. Since his passing in 2011, Sean’s mother, Cheryl Walsh, has established a foundation that supports law enforcement canines—a cause that has greatly benefited our department. Walsh now serves as a symbol of courage and dedication, embodying the values that our department holds dear.
We are excited to announce the launch of our BRAVE program, which stands for Building Respect, Awareness, and Values through Education. This initiative replaces the previous DARE program and represents our commitment to fostering a safer and more informed community through early education.
The BRAVE program is a 7 week initiative specifically designed for 4th-grade students. Each week, police officers lead a one-hour lesson covering essential topics such as Responsibility, Communication, Peer Pressure, Bullying, Cyberbullying and Cyber Safety, and Substance Awareness, including medication, alcohol, vaping, and tobacco. The program concludes with a comprehensive review and a Graduation ceremony to celebrate the students' achievements.
What sets BRAVE apart is its focus on the core values that define our Police Department: Integrity, Accountability, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Respect, Loyalty, Honesty, and Consistency. Each lesson is crafted to emphasize one of these values, helping to instill them in our young participants.
Through the BRAVE program, we aim to equip our young community members with the knowledge and values they need to navigate the challenges they may face. We look forward to the positive impact this program will have on children and our community as a whole.
