Milwaukee Police Officers teamed up with Unity Gospel Church for a "Hoops for Hope" basketball event, Friday evening.
The goal of the game, to use basketball to bridge tensions between officers and the people they are sworn to protect.
Officer Jamar Lucky has been a part of the MPD force for two years. He said it's through events like Hoops for Hope that the community can see a different side to the officers.
"It all comes down to transparency, so the public sees we are not robots. We are human just like them," said Lucky.
Ten MPD members took on 10 church members on the court. Pastor Marlon Lock was one of the event organizers. He knows what it's like to walk in an officers shoes. He formerly worked for MPD before transitioning into a pastoral role in 2005.
The teams are ready! pic.twitter.com/zvGi3jxRNx
— Adriana Mendez (@AdrianaMendez) December 8, 2018
"I think it’s important for the church to be the bridge between community and cops," said Lock.
The Pastor said today is not about the outcome of the game, it's about showing the community there is more to the person behind the badge.
"Me being an old head playing against the young guys it’s really just to come and just say we can fellowship, compete really hard and let people see a different side of a pastor and a different side of a cop," said Lock.
Unity Gospel outpaced MPD by halftime but the officers came back to win 49-47. Organizers say the game about more than a final score because when both sides come together, the community overall wins.
"I think if we all can come along and get together as one unit, we could be the greatest state as far as policing and community in this country." "I want community members to know we have to not say we care but we have to show we care," said Lock.
The church plans to bring back the event next year.
