Art helps bridge the gap between police and students

LAFAYETTE, Colo. -- A dated school resource officer's police cruiser got a much-needed upgrade from an unlikely source.

Police Chief Rick Bashor said he acutely is aware of the negative connotation associated with police nationwide, leading him to offer Lafayette students an opportunity they couldn't refuse.

Students were allowed to participate in a cop car design -- a well-received move that Bashor said helped bridge the gap between cops and kids. 

"Our youth are our most valuable resource," Bashor said. "We kind of gave them artistic license."

What students returned to the department blew officers away. 

"They were well thought out -- not just the art, but the message," Bashor said. 

The department saw so many great entries, they submitted them to an impartial judge, which returned three winning submissions, each with a different mission. 

Then, graphic designer Mick Shivers pared those three designs down into one beautiful logo. 

"I think we did represent everybody as best we could," Shivers said. "It's awesome." 

Bashor said Ayush Chitrakar helped include the Colorado flag, Caden Klinger helped to include a mountain scape and first place winner Jayleen Gonzalez added the image of interlocking arms. 

When all parties witnessed the final product, more than one tear fell to the floor. 

Bashor said the design exceeded his expectations, but also is exactly what he had in mind. Bashor said the project wouldn't have been possible without donations from The Artworks Unlimited. The company donated labor, materials and more.