Cops4Kids & Communities program director and longtime volunteer Rolando Olivo, left and Executive Director Jeff Penn are organizing the upcoming 24th SoCal Battle of the Badges, the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo
When former police officer Jeff Penn and other officers and community-minded individuals established the Cops4Kids & Communities nonprofit in 2009, the goal was to build positive mentoring relationships between youth, public safety professionals and community members through educational, athletic and leadership development programs.Even before the organization was established, Penn had organized the annual “SoCal Battle of the Badges” fundraiser to support community youth programs. It was a popular event that put first responders, public safety personnel and those in military service inside the boxing ring for a night of entertaining competition and charitable camaraderie.At the heart of the organization when it began in the San Jacinto Valley was its boxing club where chil
