HPD and Youth-Police Advisory Council Address Peer Pressure, Teen Bullying and Suicide

November 23, 2010 - On Saturday (Nov. 20), Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Brian J. Lumpkin and members of the Youth-Police Advisory Council (Y-PAC) met to discuss the issues of peer pressure, teen bullying and teen suicide.

As part of a round table discussion moderated by Chief Lumpkin, students from local high schools asked questions and offered solutions to these serious issues.

“Bullying is real.  Peer pressure is real.  Teen suicide is real,” said Y-PAC coordinator Rhonda Conner.

“These aren’t just problems among teens,” added Assistant Chief Lumpkin.  “Adults face them too.  Police officers deal with peer pressure, which is one reason why we focus so hard on ethics and stress the need for officers to have the courage to do the right thing,” he said.  Displaying that courage is something Chief Lumpkin encouraged students to exhibit as well, adding it can be something as simple as letting someone being picked on know they are not alone.

Having a diverse group of students, from public, home and private schools, attend Saturday’s discussion is a big plus, said Conner.  “They have a chance to talk and realize they are all facing the same issues, whether it is cyber bullying or friends feeling suicidal,” she said.

“Hopefully, these young leaders will go back to their schools and share the ideas discussed today,” Assistant Chief Lumpkin said.

The Y-PAC program was started in 1997 to foster communication and trust between the HPD and area youth.  The council provides a forum where a diverse, volunteer group of high school teenagers meet with the Chief of Police, other police officials, and adult mentors to share and discuss issues of importance to Houston’s youth, with an emphasis on law enforcement topics.

Council members are recruited from the Houston Independent School District and other surrounding school districts.  Council membership varies between 36 and 46 students selected by high school administrators to participate for the school year.

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