SARTELL -- Sartell police officers will be spending more time with the kids in the community over the next year.

The police department has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota on their Bigs in Blue program.

Officer Jill Lundquist has served as a Big Sister for six years. She says the idea came after hearing the success the St. Cloud Police Department had in the program.

Over the next year, officers will serve as mentors to kids facing adversity within the Sartell community on a weekly basis.

Lundquist says Bigs in Blue is a great way for children to bond with the officers and see the person behind the badge.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently working on partnerships with other local law enforcement such as Waite Park.

Lundquist says they hope to start the program by January 1st.

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