Cops 4 Kids in Colton Fighting in the Battle of the Badges

On Saturday, March 28, Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula will host a Battle of the Badges, a live boxing event that will serve as a fundraiser for the local Cops 4 Kids and Communities in Colton. Three law enforcement officials training at the Cops 4 Kids facility at 580 Bordwell Avenue, Unit C, in Colton, will be fighting in their perspective weight classes in hopes of bringing back a winning title to the club. The officers train side by side every week with the young men and women, from ages of 8 to 17 who are members of Cops 4 Kids. John Knowlton of Upland Animal Services came to Cops 4 Kids with a previous victorious Battle of the Badges fight under his belt. He said he had recently decided to get back into shape and a friend suggested checking out the training going on at the Colton gym of Cops 4 Kids headed by Carlos Palomino. “I was very impressed right away,” said Knowlton. “I went over to check it out and they started my training that same day. After seeing what goes on there with the kids, I decided it was where I wanted to be. Carlos not only teaches boxing skills, but he makes respect and discipline part of the program. He makes sure that every single person is worked with every day; no one is left out, and everyone, pros and first timers alike are coached to be successful in life, not just boxing.” Corporal Sean Shanen of Fontana School Police will be fighting his first fight in this Battle of the Badges. “Being part of this program has made me a better police officer,” said Shanen. “The habits, the skills I’ve acquired have given me more confidence. I have a whole new respect for boxers; it’s hard to stand up a long time and take and give punches.” Shanen explained that he especially enjoys the fact that the kids get to see him out of uniform and regard him as a mentor, coach, and friend. “I’m training right next to them and that helps them to recognize that law enforcement officers are not any different than they are.” A security officer for Midwest Protective Services, David Smith, has been with Cops 4 Kids Colton for about a year. “I’m a really tall guy, so the kids literally look up to me,” Smith said with a laugh, “but honestly, it’s about getting the opportunity to work with them and seeing how they grow in their personal efforts.” Smith said he liked the fact that everybody has a focus on them every day of training at the gym. “We end up being a tight little family, and I just enjoy going there.” This will be a first fight for Smith, too, and he’s hoping he brings home a win for the team, too. Palomino is looking forward to walking out to the ring with the officers with all of the members of his team walking right alongside of them as they head into their fights. The whole concept of teamwork comes together in such a moment, where all of their hard work pays off in a show of skill and discipline. The Cops 4 Kids in Colton have dedicated this year’s rounds to San Bernardino Police Office Gabe Garcia, the officer injured in the line of duty last August. The Battle of the Badges will take place at the Pechanga Resort and Casino at 45000 Pechanga Parkway in Temecula on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the fights start at 6 p.m. Call 1-951-693-1819 to verify ticket availability. If you are a law enforcement officer interested in joining the program, have interest in providing financial support, or you are interested in having your student enroll in the Cops 4 Kids Boxing Club of Colton, please contact Carlos Palomino at cops4kidsboxing@cs.com, or stop by the gym.