Officer Lindsey Russell, center, and a City of Sylvania Police Division colleague pose for a photo together with L.E.A.D. program mascot Leo the Police Dog. (Photo Courtesy L.E.A.D.)
SYLVANIA, Ohio — In schools across Sylvania, Ohio, the L.E.A.D. program, the officers who teach it, and the program’s mascot Leo the Police Dog have quickly become a familiar presence, recognized by students, educators and families alike.
“It’s really special to walk into a school or attend a community event and have kids immediately recognize the program and want to come say hello,” said Officer Lindsey Russell. “Leo has become a big part of that too — whether we’re at an expo, a school function, or out in the community, he brings people in, starts conversations, and helps build those positive connections between students and law enforcement in a really natural way.”
The City of Sylvania Police Division implemented the L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence) curriculum beginning with the 2024–25 school year, replacing another drug and violence prevention program. The L.E.A.D. program is now taught to fifth-grade students across multiple schools throughout the Sylvania community in partnership with the Sylvania Township Police Department.
Officer Russell and her City of Sylvania Police Division colleagues instruct students in the L.E.A.D. program at Sylvan Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, and Highland Elementary, as well as St. Joseph Parish School and Toledo Islamic Academy, while Sylvania Township officers cover additional elementary schools within the district.
Russell said the transition to L.E.A.D. aligned with both departmental updates to curriculum and a natural staffing transition within the program.
“The opportunity really came at the right time,” Russell said. “We were looking at updating our approach, and L.E.A.D. offered a curriculum that felt more current and more engaging for students.”
The program is delivered over 10 weeks, with one lesson per week in each fifth-grade classroom. Lessons combine education on relevant topics with practical life skills, including goal setting, emotional regulation, peer pressure resistance, and decision-making in friendships and social situations.
“I think the life skills pieces are what really stick with them,” Russell said. “We talk about things like managing emotions, handling frustration, or choosing good friends — and those are things they can apply immediately in their day-to-day lives.”
Instruction is highly interactive, incorporating skits, games, and scenario-based learning designed to reinforce key concepts. Russell said students frequently reference lesson characters and situations long after they are introduced, demonstrating strong retention and engagement.
“By the end, you can really see that they’ve absorbed it,” Russell said. “They’ll bring up specific examples from games or lessons weeks later, which tells you it’s really sticking.”
Feedback from students, teachers, administrators, and parents has been consistently positive. Students often express disappointment when the 10-week course ends, with many asking if the program can continue into later grades. Parents also frequently share appreciation for how the program sparks conversations with their children at home, particularly around the issues of decision-making and peer influence.
“We’ve had parents come up and tell us how their child comes home talking about what they learned and how it’s helping them think differently about choices and friendships,” Russell said.
Nick DeMauro, Executive Director and CEO of L.E.A.D., commended the work done by the City of Sylvania Police Division to implement a successful L.E.A.D. program.
“The L.E.A.D. program in Sylvania is a strong example of what happens when schools and law enforcement work together consistently,” said DeMauro. “We’re seeing students engage with the curriculum in a meaningful way and begin developing decision-making skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.”
The L.E.A.D. program in Sylvania has also strengthened relationships between students and law enforcement. Russell noted that students are increasingly comfortable interacting with officers in positive, informal settings, often recognizing them at school and community events.
That connection is reinforced through Leo, the department’s L.E.A.D. Labrador retriever, who has become a widely recognized figure across the community. Leo appears at school events, public gatherings, and city functions, helping make officers more approachable and reinforcing the program’s presence beyond the classroom.
“We take Leo to football games and community events and for the first time at our safety city. He was at their graduation,” Russell said. “Parents are recognizing that’s Leo the L.E.A.D. dog. He’s a real big figure in the community.”
“It’s all really gaining momentum,” Russell added. “We’re starting to have inquiries from some of our schools asking if we can do more. It’s been really cool to see that. The kids are engaged, they’re retaining the material, and they’re applying it in real ways. And just as importantly, they’re building positive relationships with officers at a young age. That’s what makes this so meaningful.”
About L.E.A.D.
L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Allentown, N.J., dedicated to equipping law enforcement agencies with the resources, training, and curriculum to deliver effective drug and violence prevention education in schools and communities. L.E.A.D. partners with agencies in all 50 states, supporting more than 7,000 trained instructors who reach more than one million students in 2,500 school systems annually through the Botvin LifeSkills® Training curriculum. L.E.A.D. is funded through donations and grants. For more information, visit LEADrugs.org or call 609.259.2500.
L.E.A.D. program mascot Leo the Police Dog stood next to a Christmas decoration in Sylvania made in his image. The image was published in this year’s annual City of Sylvania calendar. (Photo Courtesy L.E.A.D.)
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