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Overcast Adrian Goodwin redefines the conversation on police-community
Adrian Goodwin redefines the conversation about police and the community they serve in her 28-page vibrant picture book, “Twins in the City: Let’s Learn About Police Officers,” which holds personal significance.
Goodwin, a veteran of the New York City Police Department, recently held a book signing for her picture book at Swirl Bliss on Grand Avenue. The choice of Swirl Bliss as the venue was intentional, as it aligned with the values and mission of the 28-page picture book. Swirl Bliss, the family-owned frozen yogurt shop, believes in giving back to the community, like Goodwin’s book. The book also aims to spark an open dialogue about law enforcement and diversity that represents police as well as the people they serve. Goodwin mentioned that positive feedback poured in from educators, teachers, and parents.
“I hope that not only children learn from it, but parents learn from it,” Goodwin said about her book. She explains that conversations among parents, children, faculty, and students help contribute to the understanding of the roles along with responsibilities of active police officers.
“Twins in the City: Let’s Learn About Police Officers” revolves around Goodwin’s real-life twins, Madison and Mia, who, during an outing in the bustling city of New York, encounter a police officer and ask about their profession. The twins discover that police officers are more than just guardians of safety and emergency responders, but that officers become immersed in community connections in a kaleidoscope of different cultures.
Goodwin’s background as an 18-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, an educator at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a current Detective Investigator and Hostage Negotiator influenced her perspective of “Twins in the City.” At John Jay, Goodwin mentors students who are first-generation law enforcement officers. Her experiences as a mother further shaped the book’s focus, as she weaves a tapestry of diversity and community spirit.
Recognized for her community service and overall impact, Goodwin is a recipient of the prestigious 2022 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest Community Service Award anyone can receive. She is also a member of the board of the Uniondale Police Activity League, the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Nassau County, among other organizations. Goodwin actively contributes to uplifting communities using various resources and initiatives.
According to Goodwin, the significance of highlighting diversity within law enforcement at an early age coincides with the effort to diversify law enforcement. By showcasing stories like “Twins in the City,“ children can envision themselves as future policewomen or policemen, fostering a more diverse and representative law enforcement community early on.
Through the colorful illustrations of “Twins in the City,” the book shows police officers interacting with the community in ways that can reflect the diversity within community departments. Goodwin emphasizes that having representation plays a critical role in empowering different cultural groups and aims to change the paradigm of law enforcement alongside her husband, Christopher Goodwin, a retired Black police officer. Before Christopher Goodwin’s retirement in 2018, he worked in Brooklyn North Narcotics and Adrian Goodwin worked at the Detective Squad in Brooklyn, investigating major crimes, such as assaults, robberies, grand larcenies, and shootings.
“We can’t change the world at the snap of a finger. But we can change our perception on how people think and feel about each other just based on how we treat them,” Adrian Goodwin said about embracing diverse thoughts and perspectives surrounding police officers and fostering community relationships. “That’s just an important message that extends beyond law enforcement, just living in a world where it’s just civility, how important that is being kind to one another.” For Goodwin, storytelling is a powerful tool that can shape young minds.
While the book signing was a significant milestone, Goodwin’s journey continues. She plans to embark on a book tour across Long Island in the coming months, conducting workshops on cyber etiquette, respect, and effective communication skills. She aims to strengthen community dialogue through kindness within these communities by promoting inclusivity to build stronger connections in young children.
“I hope it’s going to bring about colorful dialogue, just about people in general and just about the acceptance of others,” Goodwin said. “It’s truly a blessing to be able to create a story that was sparked not only by my 8-year old daughters, but by my role as a mom, as a wife, as a law enforcement officer and an educator.”
