My name is Barbara Lark and I hold the current position of Deputy Police Commissioner with the Buffalo Police Department and have held several positions such as patrol officer, community police officer, detective, lieutenant, captain and district chief prior to being promoted. I developed the Citizen Police Academy/P.A.C.T. (Police and Community Together) curriculum which is an 8 week program for residents of Buffalo to attend and learn how the police department operates. The program has been successful in building trust and removing barriers what once existed between police and the community. I also co-organized the Girls’ Run the World Youth Empowerment Day, a program for young ladies 8-17 hosted by D’Youville. The young ladies attended mini workshops that focused on life skills and a panel discussion filled with positive rode models within the community.
My favorite aspect of working within the community is the mentoring program with the young ladies that will be an ongoing initiative to foster relationship with young ladies. I also enjoy building a rapport with the community during the 8 weeks of the Citizen Police Academy.
My favorite place to be is with my family, wherever that may be. Spending time together at family meals, gatherings, outings and vacations.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”
– Helen Keller