Maui police officer Marvin Miles poses for a photo at the 10th annual 21st Century Drug and Violence Prevention Training Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Courtesy photo

Not knowing he would be receiving the Hawaii Instructor of the Year award, Maui police officer Marvin Miles wasn’t expecting such a heartfelt announcement during the Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence’s annual conference.

“My sergeant, who teaches with me and received the award last year, played a video while I was away at the conference,” said Miles, who did not know he would be receiving the award at the 10th annual Drug & Violence Prevention Training Conference on March 30-April 1 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“All the kids from all the different schools were in it, thanking me,” Miles continued. “It was really special. It helps as it lets us know we’re doing the right thing.”

According to L.E.A.D. CEO Nick DeMauro, the honor was well deserved.

“(Miles’) dedication to teaching students about the importance of drug and violence prevention in Maui is helping us to continue our mission of strengthening police-community relationships,” DeMauro said in a news release.

Miles teaches the L.E.A.D. program to fourth and fifth grade students at Waihee, Puʻu Kukui and King Kamehameha III Elementary Schools as well as Doris Todd Christian Academy.

However, for Miles, seeing the kids smile and enjoy the lessons he teaches is the most rewarding part of the job.

He said the students anticipate visits from him and his team.

“I think they like seeing us when we dress up in our uniforms and come on campus,” he said. “They’re always happy to see us and always waving. They’re curious about what we’re doing on campus, and the children that we teach get excited to see us, which is a reward in itself.”

According to the nonprofit organization, L.E.A.D. offers a 10-week program for K-12 students with curriculum focusing on how to make smart decisions without the involvement of drugs or violence. The group says its programs has proven effective at deterring youth and adults from drug use, drug related crimes, bullying and violence.

“L.E.A.D. allows us to build a relationship with the kids and shows them that we’re their friends. They can always come and talk to us,” Miles said. “From the start, we focus on teaching them important life skills which will last a lifetime.”