Michael Norwood and Moe Badger have much more in common than their careers as law enforcement officers. In fact, they’re both blessed with an identical talent.
The Buffalo Police Department officers come from different backgrounds. Norwood is a former college basketball player, and Badger is a gospel singer. What brought them together besides their job is their shared passion – and now, it’s doing the same for their community.
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In all the time they’ve spent together in a police cruiser, Norwood and Badger realized they both love to belt it out. So it became a tradition for them to perform informal duets while patrolling the streets of New York. They’ve been spotted doing so in public as well. That’s what catapulted them into viral stardom.
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The two were recently recorded singing inside a local restaurant, and the footage has since been viewed and shared by thousands.
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Suddenly, Norwood and Badger were in the spotlight, giving interviews, singing for the public, and even appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” They were thrilled by all the attention, of course, but knew this was their opportunity to do something even greater.
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The two decided to start a non-profit program called COPSS, which stands for Children Overcoming Police Stereotypes through Sports. The idea is to change kids’ (and the public’s) perceptions by using sports as a platform to nurture personal relationships with cops.
“Through building these relationships in these schools – now, these same kids are not only embracing – police officers, but now they’re coming to us saying, ‘Hey, I wanna be like you,'” Badger said. “There’s definitely been a divide between our community and the police officers. And our whole mission has to been to mend that divide. It’s working.”
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This is such a great way to battle divisiveness and make a positive difference in kids’ lives. Not only are Officers Norwood and Badger gifted singers, but they’re amazing role models for adults and children alike!
Watch as the officers belt it out in the video that started it all below, and share to show support for their mission.
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