Coral Springs police officer who once played in the NFL publishes new children’s book to teach kids about positive police interactions
Coral Springs, Florida – Andrae Kirk is not just a police officer in Coral Springs — he’s also a published author on a mission to make a difference beyond his daily patrols. The 31-year-old officer, who serves both on road patrol and as part of the department’s SWAT team, has found a creative new way to reach young people in the community: through a children’s book designed to promote positive interactions between kids and law enforcement.
Kirk recently released his first book, titled Officer Friendly, which is geared toward children between the ages of 4 and 12. Through its colorful pages and simple storytelling, the book delivers a clear and encouraging message — police officers are here to help, protect, and serve the community, and children should feel safe when they encounter them.
“It’s a children’s book about community policing,” Kirk said in a recent interview with TAPinto Coral Springs. “Basically, the book highlights a bunch of positive interactions between police officers and the community, the people we’re sworn to protect. It’s trying to give kids the understanding that, hey, police officers are here to help you.”
The inspiration for Officer Friendly didn’t come from a marketing idea or a desire to simply write a book. Instead, it came from Kirk’s real-world experience on the job. As an officer who regularly engages with residents — especially children — he noticed a troubling pattern.
“I run into so many kids who are afraid of the police,” Kirk explained. “I think that comes from a lack of understanding of what we do, why we’re showing up to their house. We want to keep your community safe, and we believe in you. We want you to be the best that you can be.”
To help bridge that gap, Kirk wrote the book to spark conversations between children and their families about the role of police in keeping communities safe. He hopes the book will serve as both a teaching tool and a comfort to children who might not fully understand law enforcement’s mission.
Earlier this month, Kirk hosted a launch event and live reading of Officer Friendly at the Coral Springs Museum of Art’s Family Day, drawing nearly 150 people throughout the day. He said the event was a success, with many meaningful moments shared between him and the community’s youngest residents.
“It was great,” he said. “I loved interacting with the citizens of Coral Springs. They asked me questions about the book, and I had some definitely memorable moments with the children. I was proud of the outcome and the turnout.”
The Coral Springs Museum of Art is now the first bookstore to carry Officer Friendly on its shelves, a milestone Kirk is proud of as he continues to share his message about the importance of positive police-community relationships.
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Before joining the Coral Springs Police Department three years ago, Kirk served with the Florida Atlantic University Police Department. During his time at FAU, he not only played Division I football but also earned his master’s degree. His athletic skills took him as far as a brief stint with the NFL, where he made it to the final preseason game. When football came to an end, he knew exactly what direction he wanted to go next — law enforcement.
“I come from a law enforcement family,” he said. “I have uncles, cousins, and even my little brother, who all work in law enforcement. I think it was just kind of something I always wanted to do, if I didn’t do football.”
Now fully committed to his career in public safety, Kirk is determined to extend his reach beyond his badge. His long-term goal is to get Officer Friendly into as many schools as possible to reinforce the message that police officers care deeply about the people they serve.
“I truly believe in community policing and that it is a significant tool law enforcement can use to better our interactions with the public,” he said. “We genuinely care. We care about families, we care about the community, especially the communities where we live and work.”
Kirk, who currently lives in Pompano Beach, said he hopes to move to Coral Springs in the future to further strengthen his ties to the community he serves.
For those interested in purchasing Officer Friendly, the book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s website. Simply search for Officer Friendly by Andrae Kirk.
