Written by Ingrid Gendler.
The beloved PAL Police Commissioner for a Day essay contest has announced a winner and, in this blog post we want to celebrate the recipient of this accolade.
PAL’s 76th annual “Police Commissioner for a Day” essay contest is open to high school students throughout NYC. Students are encouraged to imagine themselves the Police Commissioner of New York, and asked to address an existing community problem through their writing. This year’s question asked: Young people all over the world have been active in social justice issues, including peaceful protests. As Police Commissioner for a Day, how would you counsel your commands to ensure the protesters feel safe and heard?
Jaylyn Cameron PC for a Day 1st Place winner
This year’s winning essay was penned by Saint Vincent Ferrer High School student Jalyn Cameron, who wrote in her powerful essay that as commissioner she would “listen and ask questions of protest leaders and organizations to understand how we can best serve their community and cause” and stressed the importance of engaging with young people “to hear their perspectives on matters and understand their grievances and construct efforts to rectify them.
Jalyn Cameron received congratulations from Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, who highlighted all of the talent and thoughtful perspectives that the students contributed in their works. Commissioner Shea noted that this beloved tradition “brings cops and kids together in spirit of camaraderie and mutual understanding” echoing the theme of Jalyn’s work!
This contest is just one example of PAL’s longstanding 107-year partnership with the NYPD to support the youth of NYC. PAL’s Chief of Programs Danielle Madden-Buck emphasized how this contest helps PAL youth “express innovative ideas as future leaders of the world” and their “zeal for enhancing and improving New York City.”
We wish Jalyn the best of luck in her future pursuits in high school and beyond, and are proud to count her among a list of accomplished past winners of the Police Commissioner for a Day essay contest!
Thomas Zhu PC for a Day 3rd place winner
Sabina Pirmukhamedova PC for a Day 2nd place winner