Miranda Pederson/Daily News Kentucky State Police Trooper Todd Holder reads to Dajah Cottrell, 6, during Tuesday’s Young Readers program at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green’s Learning Center. Free books were given to the children from United Way of Southern Kentucky.

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The Housing Authority of Bowling Green’s Learning Center was visited by several law enforcement officers Tuesday afternoon, but instead of responding to an emergency, they were there to distribute books.

Bowling Green Police Department Chief Doug Hawkins, Warren County Jailer Jackie Strode, Kentucky State Police Trooper Todd Holder, Western Kentucky University Police Department Chief Bob Deane and Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Jakubs took part Tuesday in the housing authority’s Young Readers program.

The volunteer reading/mentoring program, conducted by the housing authority in conjunction with the Warren County Public Library, added the law enforcement officers to the program Tuesday.

United Way of Southern Kentucky brought books to the learning center for a free book fair. Each child received one book that was later signed by a law enforcement officer.

“We want to try to bring more officers in to read to kids so that they will see them in their uniforms in a good way,” said Donna Workman, education director at the housing authority.

Workman said she hopes to see officers from area law enforcement departments volunteer each week to come to the learning center to read to children and serve as mentors.

Ultimately, Workman said she hopes the law enforcement aspect of the Young Readers program will help instill in children a desire to read, and that it will create a friendly relationship between the police and community by showing another side of the officers.

“It’s important that people see us as real people who care about them on a level that’s deeper than some professional commitment,” Hawkins said.