4:34 PM | Thursday, June 11, 2026
Kids in Brooklyn Park reeled in some fish with the help of local police.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department hosted its annual Cops N Kids fishing event on June 10. The long-standing tradition, which dates back to 2009, brought together about 100 local children for a day of outdoor fun and mentorship at the pond outside of the city’s Community Activity Center.
Beyond the excitement of the catch, the event serves a deeper purpose: fostering positive, lasting relationships between law enforcement and Brooklyn Park youth.
Kids taking part in the annual Cops ‘N’ Kids fishing event all received free rods and reels.
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For Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, the event is personal. Reflecting on his own childhood, Bruley shared how finding a passion for fishing helped keep him on the right path.
“I remember when I was a very young boy and I went fishing all the time with a buddy down by a little creek,” Bruley said. “We knew kids that were getting in trouble, and I really felt like having that distraction in my life and creating that passion for fishing really kept me away from doing things that probably got me into mischief.”
By sharing that same hobby with today’s youth, the department hopes to provide a healthy outlet that encourages personal growth and keeps kids engaged in positive activities.
“Although today’s fun, one of my favorite things is, I’ll drive by [the fishing pond] next week and I will see some of these kids that walk up here from nearby homes and apartment complexes, and they will be fishing, and I love to see that,” added Bruley.
Every participating child in the Cops N Kids fishing event received a brand-new rod and reel to take home.
Related: Brooklyn Park Police Report Shows Crime Drops To 37-Year Low