Houston Texans linebacker Jacob Martin and Texans Legend N.D. Kalu continued the conversation on social justice with Houston Police Department (HPD) officers and local Houston-area teens on Thursday.
As part of the Texans' partnership with the Greater Houston Police Activities League (GHPAL), Martin and Kalu joined HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner, teen panelists from the HPD GHPAL program and other officers for a panel discussion. The mission of the GHPAL is to create positive relationships between youth and police officers and is part of HPD's relational policing initiatives.
Teens from throughout the area were invited to join to watch in the webinar format which kicked off with an introduction from PAL Officer Sgt. Letricia Brown and a youth moderator before diving into a 45-minute conversation between the panelists and teens. Viewing teens also had the opportunity to ask the panelists questions afterwards.
The Houston Texans support the GHPAL program through an annual grant, as well as supporting GHPAL events and programs and providing co-branded items that police can use to build positive relationships with youth. Texans players have joined Houston Police Department officers for overnight ride-alongs, hospital visits through the Badges and Bears program, and other youth sports programs.
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