MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio - Members of the Youngstown Police Department (YPD) said they want to work to build more trust, starting with the youngest city residents. Students from Paul C. Bunn spent their day bonding with officers during a fishing field trip.

YPD escorted students from the school to the Farmers and Sportsmen Club in New Middletown  for their first 'Cops and Bobbers' field trip. Officers and students worked side by side casting lines and learning valuable lessons.

The program is an initiative that gives the kids a chance to see the officers in a different light.

"I think it's important to do stuff like this because a lot of times when us police officers come and talk to the kids, it's more so we give them the speech of, 'Oh this is what's wrong, this is what's right, don't do this, don't do that.' So, when you get to come out here, it kind of lets us relax a little bit, let our hair down and lets them relax a little bit.," YPD officer, Casey Kelly said.

During the event, students also learned about water safety and the importance of teamwork and building relationships. 

School leaders at Paul C. Bunn said events like this help to maintain a positive culture within the community.