Behind the Badge
When a lieutenant approached Anaheim Police Officer Frank Ramirez about coaching a youth basketball team, it didn’t require any arm-twisting.
Ramirez, after all, is a school resource officer assigned to one elementary, two junior high and two high schools, and he enjoys mentoring youngsters.
Through his job, he also meets kids who come out of difficult living situations who need some guidance.
“I jumped at the opportunity,” said Ramirez, 34, who played basketball through high school and then coached a freshman team for two seasons. “I love working with kids.”
Anaheim Police Officer Mark Gell coaches his team during a basketball game at the West Anaheim Youth Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A police officer for almost 10 years, Ramirez reached out to fellow APD officers Mark Gell and Collin Brennan and together, the three officers are in their first season as coaches for a West Anaheim YMCA squad in the 14-17 age group.
As part of APD’s Cops 4 Kids program, the three officers wear their uniforms during games to show they are serving in their capacity as police officers even while they are coaching.
“It allows us to bridge that gap with youth and parents to help them see us in a positive light,” said Ramirez, who has served as a Big Brother for two boys over seven years. “It shows that we are not just cops. We are like everybody else.”
Ivan Delgado scores during a game at the West Anaheim Youth Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The squad is unofficially known as “Team TBL,” Ramirez said, an acronym for Thin Blue Line, a colloquialism that represents camaraderie among police officers and a tribute to fallen officers.
Gell and Brennan work graveyard shifts, so Saturday afternoon coaching duties sometimes cut into sleep time. And Gell already is a volunteer coach for his own kids’ teams.
“It’s been a juggle, but it’s been fun,” Gell said. “I have kids myself and my biggest thing is to see kids be successful, teaching them to give back and teaching them to be responsible.”
Maria and Alberto Villegas attend every game to watch their son Albert play as a member of Team TBL.
Anaheim PD officers Frank Ramirez, left, and Mark Gell give their players advice during timeout at a basketball game at the West Anaheim Youth Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Alberto appreciates the officers’ commitment and the fact that they coach, even though their own children aren’t on the team.
The players seem to have a lot of respect for their coaches, Maria said.
“I think they like the fact that they are coached by police officers,” she said.
And Albert just likes learning to be a better player.
“They make us run a lot of plays,” Albert said.
To be honest, Ramirez said, the fact that the coaches are police officers is a non-issue on and off the court.
“The relationship has always been basketball,” the officer said. “They see us as just coaches. Not police officers.”
Ekenedilichukwu Aladiume shoots and scores during a game at the West Anaheim Youth Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD officers Frank Ramirez, left, and Mark Gell coach their players between quarters.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Brandon Delgado puts up a bucket.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
