Public Safety: New police

New police youth boxing program finds a home

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

While several Lowell, Mass., police officers were training for a charity boxing event, Barry Golner, interim superintendent, had the idea for a youth services program teaching local children to box.

ABOVE: The Lowell Police Department put together a youth services program to better bridge the gap between officers and local youth. One way the department wished to do so was by starting a boxing program for local children between the ages of 10 and 18. For a little over a year, volunteers from the police department, fire department and city have been teaching students the fundamentals of boxing. (Photo provided by the Lowell Police Department)

Massachusetts State Police sponsored the charity event; training took place in an old Lowell boxing gym. One of the officers’ trainers was a retired Lowell police officer, while another was a retired state corrections officer and long-time boxing trainer. Both also volunteered assisting with the Manchester, N.H., Police Athletic League boxing program. When Golner posed the idea for a similar program in Lowell, both trainers agreed. “It would be a much-needed boost to a sport that once thrived in the city,” he told them.

The Lowell Police Department was also looking for ways to bridge the gap between police officers and local youth. While it had been a strong participant in many youth programs and partners with youth-serving agencies throughout the city, the same motivation encouraged the department to start up its own youth services program, which includes the boxing program.

Teaming up with Maryann Manzi, Lowell Police Department public safety research and planning director, grant funding was obtained from the Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The money was used to purchase the necessary safety equipment, gloves, bags and other essentials to get the program up and running.

“The LPD continues to work with the schools and other youth serving organizations. However, creating the LPD Youth Services program allows us an exciting opportunity in the city to create a space dedicated to fostering relationships between the youth and the police officers,” Manzi stressed.

By a little over a year ago, Lowell’s youth services boxing program was up and running. It began with an introduction to boxing outdoors, which taught physical fitness and basic skills.

While the goal was ultimately to find a home for the program, in the meantime, trainers have been utilizing Lowell’s Doughboy Wrestling Club.

“Sgt. Michael Marshall, who runs our youth services program, has worked tirelessly with Manzi and we have just leased a facility and

Classes began outdoors when the program originally started. Volunteers have been able to utilize the indoor facilities at the Doughboy Wrestling Club in Lowell while they await a more permanent home for the club. (Photo provided by the Lowell Police Department)

will be opening our own gym,” Golner announced. “We have the space for at least the next three years.”

The program is offered each Tuesday and Thursday, with two onehour sessions available each day. All Lowell residents between the ages of 10 and 18 are welcome to sign up.

As Golner described, “Members of the program are learning discipline, basic skills, comradery and building relationships with law enforcement. They are involved in physical fitness and will see that their hard work, dedication and commitment will lead to improved skills and ability as well as build confidence and pride.”

The department also takes referrals from the Department of Children and Families, Lowell Housing Authority, House of Hope and Lowell Public Schools on youths who should be signed up for the department’s programs, and it does public outreach via social media.

Sgt. Marshall runs the boxing initiative with the assistance of multiple active and retired police volunteers. Officers from other local police departments, as well as members of the Lowell Fire Department, are volunteering their time — along with a retired Lowell city employee and former Golden Gloves champion.

Golner emphasized, “The community’s response has been very positive. We have also partnered with the Lowell Public Schools, not only with our boxing program but our entire youth services programs.”

Recently the Lowell Police Department began working with the Sean Collier Foundation, which has allowed them to purchase a brand-new boxing ring as well as other physical fitness equipment. Thanks to the foundation and grant funding, the facility will have new equipment and be a fully functional boxing and training location when it opens.

The department also works with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, which acts as fiduciary for any donations for the youth services programs.

Once the new facility opens, more training days and hours will be offered. Lowell police officers who wish to learn and participate in a While the boxing program helps the participants build positive relationships with police officers, it also teaches them life skills and discipline. Currently, there are two sessions offered twice a week. Once the new facility opens, more days and hours will be available. (Photo provided by the Lowell Police Department)

Sgt. Michael Marshall, who runs the program, and the police department’s research and planning director, Maryann Manzi, have worked tirelessly for grant funding to lease a facility and purchase new equipment. The goal was to move into this new facility by the end of May. (Photo provided by the Lowell Police Department)

boxing workout, train for charity tournaments or participate in the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions will be welcome to use the facility.

In May, Manzi stated that the department’s contract with the new facility is currently in the process of being executed and “we are hoping to move in this month.”

For other police departments looking to set up a similar boxing program or any youth services program, Manzi offered this advice: “Start small, then expand with time. Also, starting with an activity that you know officers are interested in and that your city or town needs is also helpful.”