Building trust, respect, and community—one move at a time
PROGRAMS
Cops
& Kids
The Cops & Kids Chess Initiative is a year‑round program developed by Chicago Public Schools and the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, in partnership with the Chicago Police Department that brings together students in grades 5–12, police officers, and criminal justice professionals through after‑school chess clubs and special events.
The program promotes peace at home, in schools, and in communities by fostering positive relationships between students and police. Chess serves as the vehicle for engagement, helping young people and officers connect in meaningful ways.
The initiative empowers students with respect, responsibility, and relationship‑building skills while teaching conflict resolution through cooperation and constructive problem‑solving.
📬 Want to learn more about the Cops & Kids Initiative? Reach out to David Heiser at daheiser@cps.edu
Goals
& Objectives
The goal is to afford additional engagement opportunities to students from diverse communities throughout the city and employ Police officers to serve as mentors and role models through chess centered programs. We achieve our goal by recognizing the many outcomes and skills that chess provides our youth, using chess to foster positive engagement and relationship with the Chicago police and youth from diverse communities throughout the city of Chicago.
Objectives
- Promote non-violence
- Promote family and community engagement
- Increase positive relations between youth and police officers
- Provide fun, rewarding, and safe out of school time activities
- Foster ongoing relationships between students and police officers
- Provide a safe and welcoming environment
- Develop academic, social and life skills
- Support Chicago Public Schools’ chess programs
- Career awareness in law enforcement