Officer Brian Wolf joined the Prairie Village police force in 2010 to, as he says, make an impact on his community.
Wolf spent seven years in several Prairie Village elementary schools as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., officer. In that role, he taught kids about drug abuse and developed his own lesson plan on vapes.
After being taken off that special assignment, Wolf said he often shared stories with friends and family about his time as a D.A.R.E officer.
That’s when Wolf decided to write a children’s book, “There’s A Wolf In My School.”
The book is told from the perspective of a student
- Wolf said Bre, a fictional character, tells the story of a police officer who comes to her school.
- Bre talks about the interest the police officer takes in the children and how much he cares for the school, Wolf said.
- Although Bre is a fictional character, Wolf said she represents the students he’s worked with through the D.A.R.E. program — at four different schools and 25 to 30 classes a week for seven years.
Wolf wanted to highlight lessons on police, relationships
- Wolf said the goal of the book is to show children that police officers are “safe strangers” who can offer them resources and help in times of need.
- When he started writing the book two years ago, he said he knew he wanted to focus on lessons about police officers and what their job entails.
- Wolf said he also wanted to highlight the relationships and trust D.A.R.E officers build in schools.
- “The biggest thing is just hopefully getting a better idea about police officers: they’re approachable, they’re there to help,” Wolf said.
Wolf had PVPD’s support in writing the book
- Prairie Village Police Chief Byron Roberson told the Post that he encouraged Wolf to go through with writing the book when Wolf first approached him about it.
- “There’s A Wolf In My School” is a chance for law enforcement to positively influence youth, Roberson said.
- Roberson said Wolf’s book highlights the fact that Prairie Village police officers are good officers, but they also have their own lives and aspirations beyond their job.
- “They are very much part of the community like everyone else, and I think this is a prime example that even cops have dreams, too,” Roberson said.
Some proceeds are going toward mental health
- Wolf said 20% of the proceeds from each individual book sale is going to Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital.
- The proceeds will specifically go to specialists for children who are struggling with mental health.
- In the first month, Wolf said nearly 150 books have sold.
- He plans to make the donation to Children’s Mercy at the end of the year, he said.
- “There’s A Wolf In My School” is available for purchase at Amazon here.
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