Pubdate: Fri, 23 Sep 2005
Source: Pantagraph, The  (IL)
Copyright: 2005 The Pantagraph
Contact:  http://www.pantagraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/643
Author: Bob Holliday
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

POLICE OFFICER DARES TO HELP SCHOOLCHILDREN

BLOOMINGTON -- Amy Keil is one of three women among 129 sworn police
officers in Bloomington. She likes her job as a DARE officer because
of the impact she can make on children.

DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) educates children about the
danger of drugs, among other things.

Keil learned the dangers of police work first-hand in 1996 when a
suspect in a credit card fraud turned on her, strangling her and
hitting her in the face. She was able to get out her gun and pull the
trigger, but the gun didn't fire. The suspect was later captured and
sentenced to prison.

What do you do as a DARE officer?

We teach kids about drugs, violence and also self-esteem. We want the
kids to be aware of what's out there, so they can say, 'I've heard of
that and I don't want to do that.'

What grades do you concentrate on with DARE?

Second-, fourth-, fifth- and seventh. Besides classroom instruction,
we have skating parties and Six Flags trips. Sometimes peer pressure
will make the choice for them and we want to catch them before they
hear it (about drugs) on the street.

What is your education; how did you get into police work; and how long
have you been in police work?

I went to ISU and studied public relations and sociology. A friend got
me interested in police work. I've been on the force 16 years.

How do you spend your time when you're not at work? Do you have a
family?

I'm a certified aerobics instructor and I lift weights. I have a goal
to run in the 2006 Chicago marathon. My husband (officer Todd Keil)
and I have a girl, 7, and a boy, 5.

Are there some advantages to being married to a policeman?

The advantage is that we understand each other. We know the job. I
work the day shift and he works second shift, so weekends are very
special. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake