The program pairs police officers with young people on mixed basketball teams, aiming to transform how youth perceive law enforcement in their community. Officers are assigned one or two per team, working alongside volunteers from the city's Multicultural Advisory Committee and community partners including Chick-fil-A.

"We were seeing some like an influx of incidents there and the gym was kind of feeling a little at loss on how we can bridge that," a police community engagement officer explained during the presentation. The initiative uses basketball as a vehicle for building organic relationships between officers and participants.

The program goes beyond simple recreation by incorporating youth leadership development. Participants rotate through roles including DJ, referee, and team captain, giving young people opportunities to take on responsibility while developing emotional regulation skills. Youth receive jerseys provided by the Southdale YMCA and participate in team practices alongside officers.

YMCA staff emphasized that basketball was chosen deliberately because of its popularity and inclusive nature. "Basketball is a big part of why a lot of these kids come to the YMCA," a staff member said. "When you're playing basketball, a lot of different people could come together."

Early feedback suggests the program is achieving its goals. One youth participant described how interactions with officers have shifted from formal and potentially tense encounters to friendly, first-name exchanges. "It's more of a first name versus officer this, officer that," the participant said, noting that youth now greet officers they recognize from the basketball court.

The police department stated the program serves multiple purposes: keeping youth engaged in positive activities, allowing them to see officers "in a different light," and demonstrating that the city supports young people in Edina and surrounding communities.